There was a line in the "The Godfather, Part II": "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer." When it comes to Pakistan, which are they?

Osama bin Laden was living in a $1 million compound surrounded by 12-to-18-foot high walls topped with razor wire. It was in the middle of a quiet suburban town filled with retired Pakistani military officers. It was just yards away from the Pakistan Military Academy, which is basically that nation's West Point.

The compound was reportedly called Waziristan Mansion, after the tribal mountainous region of Pakistan where bin Laden fled after the September 11 attacks. There was no television and no phone lines. Instead of putting their trash out for collection, the people living with bin Laden burned it.

Come on.

If Pakistani officials didn't know who was living there, the neighbors likely did.

Neighborhood children even suspected something was up. They were not allowed to get a ball if it was accidentally kicked or thrown onto the property. Instead, they were given $2 to $3 to buy a new one. Other kids were invited to play with pet rabbits on the compound but noticed security cameras everywhere.

Ray Charles probably could have figured out who lived there. My guess is the Pakistani government wasn't looking very hard. And it's not because they didn't have the means to do so. The United States has given about $20 billion dollars in foreign aid to Pakistan over the past eight years - money meant to help combat terrorism. And as long as bin Laden remained at large, it was pretty easy to make the argument for that money.

Here’s my question to you: What should the U.S. do about Pakistan?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?

Stan:
Push for more accountability on the aid Pakistan receives. Push for more of the aid to go to the public sector instead of the military. If the administration withholds all aid, Pakistan will probably go to China for aid and stop any cooperation with the U.S. like allowing use of bases and supply routes to Afghanistan for U.S. troops among other things.

Centeno:
There is no doubt that Osama bin Laden was Pakistan's cash cow. As long as he was alive they could have milked the U.S.A of billions of dollars in aid. It was in their interest that Osama bin Laden be protected. What had to be done was done. This ends the free ride. The U.S.A. should seek more trustworthy allies in the region and use part of this foreign aid fund that would have gone to Pakistan to boost Homeland Security.

Patricia:
This morning, while watching CNN news, I saw a story showing Pakistanis having a "funeral" for bin Laden and they were burning American flags! And we send them billions of dollars per year? Tell me, what is wrong with this picture?

Elizabeth in Toronto:
Nothing. Sometimes it's best to do nothing. The U.S.A. does not always have to do something! The U.S.A. has to stop acting out what everyone wants it to do. Move to the next thing like getting U.S. citizens jobs!

Sam:
Japanese export cars, Saudi Arabia exports oil, Afghanistan exports opium and Pakistan exports terrorism. For the Pakistani military, terrorism is a revenue generating business with terrorists bartered and sold like a commodity. Until the rest of the world understands and deals with this problem, it will not go away.

Rich in Texas:
Sadly, there is not much the U.S. can do. As long as we have military in Afghanistan and in Iraq we need Pakistan to some extent. They also happen to have nuclear weapons and we can not ignore that small but lethal fact.

soundoff(539 Responses)

David Rand

Most financial monies goes towards the Pakistan Military. Our biggest fears is that the Gov't has little rule/control over many parts of the nation. If they have no control of the land, then they can not control the taliban and terrorists in these regions. If they don't use the money to aggressively expand/maintain control over their areas, then I don't see any long term benefit to the monies being sent. All monies need to have expectations/goals attached to it.

May 4, 2011 at 12:56 pm |

Taha

Bring in Gen. Gul of ISI for questioning.... I am sure he knew about the location. Pakistan intelligence was protecting him. Who owns the mansion?

May 4, 2011 at 1:04 pm |

Michael W. Moon

It's a complicated question, Jack. Unlike most modern nations, Pakistan has three different centers of power: the ISI, the Pakistani military, and the civilian government. Of these three, the civilian government is the public face, yet yields the least power. Cutting off aid to that civilian government would be counter-productive to long-term US interests, yet continuing military aid or aid to the ISI would be foolish under the circumstances.

We need to figure out what Pakistan knew, who knew it, and when they knew it. Until we have those answers, we should severely limit any aid, especially aid that is going directly to the ISI or the Pakistani military.

By the way, if the Pakistani military wishes to redeem its reputation with the US and the international community, they can do so very simply: bring us the heads of Jalaluddin Haqqani and Ayman Zawahri, both of which are currently residing on Pakistani soil just as bin Laden was.

May 4, 2011 at 1:06 pm |

Pete in Georgia

Well, for starters, let's get OUT of there once and for all and face reality. That culture of the world only "uses" America for it's own agendas and our political leaders know this.
It's about time we do something HONEST for a change and explain to our citizens that we no longer will act like fools on the world stage.
Pakistan, along with another dozen countries in that region spend about 3/4 of their time laughing at us behind our back.
It's time to wake up.............................and take care of our domestic problems.

May 4, 2011 at 1:07 pm |

Jim

Jack,

The better question is what CAN the U.S. do about Pakistan? Like it or not, they are a kinda-sorta ally in that region and they do own a nuclear arsenal. There can be no question that the Pakistan government knew where bin Laden was living but it would be irresponsible to threaten or otherwise turn them into an enemy over this issue. It would be much better to work quietly and diplomatically to turn them truly and permanently away from terrorists and into genuine supporters of freedom and democracy.

Jim
Reno, Nevada

May 4, 2011 at 1:10 pm |

JENNA ROSEVILLE CA

What should the U.S. do about Pakistan?

I don't have a beef with the Pakistani people, they have a corrupt government that they can't get rid of.

I think that we need to do 2 things.

1. Stop all US tax dollars to Pakistan (the money doesn't get to the people anyway)

2. We need our CIA with boots on the groud in Pakistan to capture the rest of Al Qaeda since they all seem to be there in various locations.

3. If the PEOPLE ask, then we should help with regime change there – but only if the Pakistani people ask.

Jenna
Roseville CA

May 4, 2011 at 1:12 pm |

Tyler K

The U.S. should really look into how much Pakistan really knew. And based upon what they find possibly may have to look into how big of a role Pakistan played in to support of Bin Laden and his actions.

Avon Ny

May 4, 2011 at 1:17 pm |

Loren, Chicago

Continue to do what it has been doing–hold its nose while it continues to support the existing military government. Dealing with Pakistan is a dance with the devil you know and, given the support for the Madrassahs and the Taliban in segments of the the society and countryside, abandoning such support would likely lead to a far worse situation. Another Somalia or Afghanistan anyone?

May 4, 2011 at 1:18 pm |

maggieb

We should stop any foreign aid to Pakistan , as we should stop all foreign aid . Support Americans First and foremost " For a Change"

May 4, 2011 at 1:32 pm |

MNResident

Pakistan shows that the US has INTERESTS, but not many real FRIENDS, in the world, specifically the Middle East. As long as Pakistan has nuclear weapons (remember them conducting nuclear weapons tests during a spat with India a few years ago), our military options are limited. Now you know why Secretary of State Clinton is reported to be against releasing the Bin Laden photos. Diplomacy is the best answer, and fanning the anger there is not going to get you anywhere.....

May 4, 2011 at 1:36 pm |

Elias

Sadly Jack nothing they need us we need them.Besides we can't let them be come to friendly with CHINA. That's a can of worms that could lead to bigger regional conflict!

May 4, 2011 at 1:39 pm |

Gary H. Boyd

The question "What should the US do" ought to be "What CAN the US do" and the answer to that is, pretty much NOTHING. As Laurel used to say to Hardy, "This is another fine mess you've gotten me into".

Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona

May 4, 2011 at 1:41 pm |

Alex in Bremerton, WA

We have paid $18,000,000,000 to Pakistan since 9/11 for their cooperation in the War on Terror. We have purchased enough of their national sovereignty to stage predator drone attacks and other unilateral operations in their country such as the mission to get bin Laden. We still need their continued cooperation, but like Ricky told Lucy, "They have some 'splaining to do!"

May 4, 2011 at 1:52 pm |

Conor in Chicago

The US should focus its attention on supporting India as a way of countering Pakistani influence in the region. Once America leaves that region the Taliban will refocuse their attention on India and we can return to the ADULT and PRUDENT foreign policy of playing powers against each other and reaping the benefits from afar.

May 4, 2011 at 1:58 pm |

Lisa in CT

Pakistan impresses me as a country always on the brink
of a nervous breakdown. We cannot cure it's illnesses, but considering it's position in the Middle East and it's nuclear weapons, we have little choice but to be a watchful therapist seeing that the neurosis doesn't worsen and spread.
Whatever we can derive from this neurotic, untrustworthy patient that helps us sleep at night ,(i.e. intelligence) is reason enough to continue calling them our "ally". Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.

May 4, 2011 at 2:00 pm |

garrick

For now nothing,until we can get them to turn over their nuke"s Jack, no way we can cut them off now until we can get things under control over their. unless we give India the money to keep them in check and put troops in India and take control of Pakistan threw war.

clearwater,fl

May 4, 2011 at 2:01 pm |

Nurse Lisa in Shelton CT

have you heard the adage, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? With their location in the politically volatile region, with 100+ nukes, a claimed desire to partner with us, plus their somewhat implausible claim that they didn't notice who lived in this gigantic compound these past six yrs despite being surrounded by retired generals and only 1/2 mile from the Pakistani version of West Point – we should definitely keep a close eye on them.

May 4, 2011 at 2:02 pm |

Ifeanyi Azubike Houston Texas

Jack, I will urge extreme caution in deciding how our relationship with Pakistan unravels post Bin Laden. The most important consideration should be that we refrain from judging Pakistan based on our culture here. I can tell you with tthe insight of one who grew up outside of the United States that it is common place to hide in plain sight in very many countries, even as next door neighbor to the chief of police and the army chief without the knowledge of the government. I understand the peculiarity of the relationship betmeen the US and Pakistan and recognize that it will be a colosal waste to toss it out on account of this incident. An opportunity exists here to arm twist, nudge, and caution but not exterminate the relationship. My suggestion is that we use the opportunities presented here to straghten the relationship a little bit but definitely do whatever necessary to sustain the ties with Pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 2:05 pm |

Khan

What do you mean by 'what should the US do?' Does the US want to abandon Pakistan now as it did after the soviets withdrew from afghanistan in 1989? If the US cuts aid, it will be the 5th time in history the US have done that after 65,71,78 and 89. I'm surprised that CNN has overlooked the fact that Hillary Clinton mentioned that it was with Pakistan's co-operation that Bin Laden was finally killed.

May 4, 2011 at 2:08 pm |

Ed Reed

I don't know and that's the reason I believe it's time to get out of Afghanistan. Bin Laden is dead. Mission Accomplished. Time to bring our people home.

Ed
Texas

May 4, 2011 at 2:12 pm |

Pat in Michigan

Continue heavy C.I .A. involvement.infiltrate their communications and find the Al Quida sympathizers and eliminate them with extreme predjudice.

May 4, 2011 at 2:14 pm |

Bizz, Quarryville Pennsylvania

I think we should leave Pakistan know that we remain at war with Al Qaeda and whenever there is a high quality target we will pursue them. Pakistan leader should also be informed that they cannot be trusted and until they prove otherwise will not be trusted. We also need to pursue ways to keep Pakistan on our side be of the nuclear weapons issue.

May 4, 2011 at 2:15 pm |

Ken from Pinon Hills,California

Continue as before, don't leave them alone to their devices, nukes.

May 4, 2011 at 2:16 pm |

David

In this game of political poker, Pakistan has relied on the threat of dealing their 'nuclear' card from the bottom and is picking up way too many pots.

It's time to either change the game or the way this one is being played.

May 4, 2011 at 2:17 pm |

Ed from California

Pakistan's aid should be completely cut off, and we should demand repayment of all of our aid given so far! Or, we'll call back in Seal Team 6......to finish the job!

May 4, 2011 at 2:18 pm |

Joyce G

Dump them. They are an enemy.
And, get out of Afghanistan.
Joyce G
Wi

May 4, 2011 at 2:18 pm |

Jane (Minnesota)

There's not an easy answer since the are nuclear weapons at stake. Whatever the decision is, the nukes have to be part of the decidsion.

May 4, 2011 at 2:26 pm |

Russ in PA

Nothing. Let them go about their business, just like every other country. To help them along that path, the US should stop providing money to each and every country, and stop meddling in their affairs. Our politicians can't seem to stop meddling in each and every thing, never learning that they can't control others or the markets. I believe our politicians are learning-impaired...

Ron Paul in 2012...

May 4, 2011 at 2:28 pm |

Joe R - Houston

Get out of their country, stop paying them to be friendly and let them kill each other for a change.

May 4, 2011 at 2:28 pm |

Paul From Austin, Texas

Stop the money we send to Pakistan now. Also send them a bill for the operation that they will never pay. Something the U.S. should of learned from this is to think before we throw money at a problem. This country and it's leaders have been getting money from us for years and just where did it go. Maybe to build a fort to help keep their cash cow and his family and friends happy so they stay. Whenever we put pressure on Pakistan to help with terror plots and looked for results of clues on bin Laden they threw us some small fry to shut us up. The U.S. should stop the gravy train for Pakistan now and should reveiw our relations with them.

May 4, 2011 at 2:36 pm |

John from Alabama

Jack: Pakistan should not get anymore foreign aid for awhile. Pakistan has been paid over $18 billion in aid since 2002, and their intelligence gathering has not been all that great. Granted some al Quaeda operatives were rounded up in the early days of the war on terrorism. I believe they knew where Osama bin Laden was located, but did not want to hand him over to the United States. Pakistan does have nuclear weapons which makes them a dangerous nation, just ask India about Pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 2:47 pm |

Scott in Bellingham

Cut them off from the cash. Continue to defend their nuclear arsenal from terrorists, particularly at night when they are asleep.

May 4, 2011 at 2:47 pm |

jack lancaster pa

Drop them like the bad habit they are.

May 4, 2011 at 2:51 pm |

Kirk (Apple Valley, MN)

Since they don't seem to be using the billions in aid we send them to fight terrorism, I say cut the aid by 80% and let the terrorists take over. Then, when the terrorists are in charge of Pakistan, nuke em until they glow.

May 4, 2011 at 2:54 pm |

Larry from Georgetown, Tx

To me we should stop giving money to any of these countries and let them figure out their own way in the world. Can you imagine what we would do if they came over here and tried to run our lives? It's called live and let live.

May 4, 2011 at 2:55 pm |

Anonymous Citizen

It would not suprise me to learn that Osama's compound was built with US tax dollars given to Pakistan. We should free up that annual expense and pump it into our own economy. Concerning the photo, the reasonable compromise should be a release of a partially blacked-out photo without his head wound visible.

May 4, 2011 at 2:55 pm |

Dennis north carolina

We should treat them as friends unless proved different. what bothers me is the world media showing their fangs and blood thirst over one man. this type of action may make him a hero terrorists groups. do we want more innocence people killed to include our troops in harms way. If you want proof just listen to any of the major news station and you will hear this man's name and his killing. we should be proud and happy that this person was brought to justice. the media should hang their head in shame for their actions. we have many people hiding in this country who should face justice and stay hidden for many years and the press is not seeking them.

May 4, 2011 at 3:01 pm |

Curt, Avon, Indiana

The same thing that we need to do with ALL middle east countries. That is to say good-bye, cut off their foreign aid and come home. We have no friends there.

May 4, 2011 at 3:02 pm |

Anthony Muratan

Since the Bush Administration has given Pakistan nuclear capability, are we, the US, not captives of this relationship with Pakistan?

May 4, 2011 at 3:09 pm |

John Herling

Mineola NY

Cut off their aid. Continue raids and drone attacks on Al-Qaeda. Officially criticize their lack of pressure on terrorists. State publicly and vigorously the justice of our actions.

May 4, 2011 at 3:12 pm |

Sylvia from San Diego

Stop giving Pakistan financial aid. They harbor terrorist and support any group that gives them money.... They should never be trusted!!

May 4, 2011 at 3:14 pm |

diridi

Stop our Dollar to Pakistan....It is a rogue nation, do not believe these rogues,,

May 4, 2011 at 3:21 pm |

c.K.c. Florida

Leave them alone, get the hell out of the rest of the middle east, and focus on our own discombobulated country.

May 4, 2011 at 3:22 pm |

Michael Bindner, Alexandria, VA

I doubt the government was officially shielding bin Laden. It is much more likely that the silence of key security officials was bought. If we find the store of cash that was used to do this, al Queda will not be safe in Pakistan.

We need to tell them to pay their security forces better so they don't take bribes.

May 4, 2011 at 3:25 pm |

Carol

I would tread softly, but I would also let the Pakistani ans know that they have "lost face" in our eyes. I would ask what they will do differently in the future! We have a long relationship with them and should not lose sight of that!

May 4, 2011 at 3:27 pm |

Tom in Desoto, TX

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I certainly wouldn't share important information with them. They have proven to be unreliable. They aren't making a big stink about their space being invaded so they know trust is more of an issue than ever, so what does that tell you? Remind them they have to do something for the billions spent on them.

May 4, 2011 at 3:28 pm |

Bonnie from NJ

Very simple, stop giving them money. Is it really a big surprise that bin Laden was there and they probably knew about it. Most of the foreign aid only creates corruption and does not accomplish what it is meant to. Look at what we have done in Afghanistan what a completely corrupt government we have created. Meanwhile my neighbor down the street who lost his job and is working two part time jobs for $8/hr has lost his car and his house.

May be we should give more support to India and remind Pakistan .
They were once a part of India . A friend of America and loyal as a friend .
We hand money out like water to buy friends in the world . Time we get our moneys worth . With a better product of friendship to go with it .

May 4, 2011 at 3:33 pm |

Centeno Ramirez

There is no doubt that Osama Bin Laden was Pakistan’s cash cow. As long as he was alive they could have milked the USA of billions of dollars in aid. It was in their interest that Osama be protected. What had to be done was done. This ends the free ride. The USA should seek more trustworthy allies in the region and use part of this foreign aid fund that would have gone to Pakistan to boost Homeland Security.

May 4, 2011 at 3:41 pm |

Phil

What should US do??? STOP sending them money

May 4, 2011 at 3:44 pm |

Bill in Portales, NM

Pakistan has proven to be a poor ally. The listing would take too long. The U.S. is investing a great deal of money in Pakistan, but we need money to be spent right here in the U.S.

When an official of the U.S states that the U.S. must be pragmatic, I feel sick.

I'm obviously incorrect in wanting the U.S. to pull out of Pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 3:45 pm |

pat

Bring our troops home. That country has been fighting for hundreds of years with no end in sight and we will never stop the drugs that are coming from pakistan. Just bring our troops home.

May 4, 2011 at 3:47 pm |

Tom Mytoocents Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jack
Once you accept that Pakistan was aware of Bin Ladens location, then you wonder what other plots are they're involved. I beleive the CIA has said Pakistan is either knew or are incredibly incompetant. Top honors to Hillary, she called it a year ago. It's important to me that Bin Laden lived six years in his self made prison before judgment came knocking.

May 4, 2011 at 3:48 pm |

Greg in Arkansas

Send them a bill for the cost of the operation to get ObL, (including the loss of the chopper).....or just deduct the expenses we incured for doing their job from their next foreign aid check.....as long as it adds up to zero future US taxpayer dollars going to Pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 3:52 pm |

Eric - Houston

Due to Pakistan's strategic location and the fact that it is a nuclear power, we will have to deal with them and work with them when we can. We should always be aware that there are people in some of their organizations who are our enemies and many more who we can only trust some of the time while there are others with whom we can generally agree and whose goals often are similar to ours. So we should talk with them always, work with them often, trust them with some things and not with others and consider our relationship a necessary work in progress.

May 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm |

Akash

US should send troops to Pakistan and eliminate each and every person who helped Osama to stay in that country, It is indeed pakistan who helps world terrorists and all nations should put pressure on pakistan to act decent.

May 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm |

Michael Roepke

How soon we forget.

Remember that Coleen Rowley wrote a paper for FBI Director Robert Mueller documenting how FBI HQ personnel in Washington, D.C., had mishandled and failed to take action on information provided by the Minneapolis, Minnesota Field Office regarding its investigation of suspected terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui.

We found this and other accounts of incompetence post 9/11. Why do we now assume that a third world country like Pakistan was something other than incompetant?

May 4, 2011 at 4:02 pm |

DON IN WESTPORT, MASS.

Tough question. What can we do? I don't think we can dismiss the fact that they did helps us combat the terrorist, but at what price.
We have given them billions of dollars to aid us in the fight against terrorist but one must wonder what the Gov't of Pakistan was also charging Osama bin Ladin for rent in that compound.
If somone pitched a circus sized tent in my back yard I think I would notice. No one is that incompetent.
I would slowly cut off thier aid and never trust them again.

May 4, 2011 at 4:06 pm |

BILL, WI

Co-operate with the Pakistanis that want to work with the U.S., and marginalize those who do not want to work with us. We should have better oversight of U.S. dollars going to Pakistan, unless of course, the documents OBL had shows more govt. assistance.

May 4, 2011 at 4:07 pm |

Stan

Push for more accountability on the aid Pakistan receives. Push for more of the aid to go to the public sector instead of the military. Pakistan has its own interests like India, Kashmir (which the Administration won't touch because of India, even though India promised a plebicide (vote for independence) on that area way back when and never carried out). It also has nuclear weapons. If the administration withholds all aid, Pakistan will probably go to China for aid and stop any cooperation with the US like allowing use of bases and supply routes to Afghanistan for US troops among other things.

May 4, 2011 at 4:11 pm |

Elizabeth From Toronto

Nothing. Sometimes it's best to do nothing. The U.S.A. does not always have to do something! The U.S.A. has to stop acting out what everyone wants it to do. It is not in the U.S.A.'s best interest. Move to the next thing like get U.S. citizens JOBS!

May 4, 2011 at 4:11 pm |

Rich McKinney, Texas

Sadly there is not much the U.S. can do. As long as we have military in Afghanistan and in Iraq we need Pakistan to some extent. They also happen to have nuclear weapons and we can not ignore that small but lethal fact.

May 4, 2011 at 4:13 pm |

LIA, FLORIDA

Perhaps the embarrassment of learning that their 'government' has most likely aided and abetted OBL for years will be the last straw that finally gives cause to an internal uprising. Our government has no place meddling in a Pakistani civil war or revolution. Privately-funded humanitarian aid will go much farther than drones and bullets.

May 4, 2011 at 4:15 pm |

David Scott Doherty

Jack what they should do and what they will do will be totally opposite. They should stop paying them billions of dollars a year, will they, not. They should stop seeking their approval, when it comes to hunting down terrorist on their soil, will they, not. they should stop referring to them as allies in the fight against terror, will they, not. Pakistan is not our friend, never has been and never will be no matter how much money we give them. Our biggest mistake was to let them develope a nuclear arsenal with which they can hold the rest of the world hostage.
David from Peterborough, NH.

May 4, 2011 at 4:15 pm |

Harold from Anchorage-,AK

We need to be cautious allies with Paistan. They have a very shakey peace with the world';s largest democracy(India), and they have lots of nukes, do we really need an Islamo-facist regime in the region?

May 4, 2011 at 4:15 pm |

Annie, Atlanta

Tread lightly. We obviously can't trust them, but they still have nukes. Thank goodness for diplomats. I certainly couldn't be one.

May 4, 2011 at 4:17 pm |

Jeff in Bishop, Georgia

Mr. Cafferty, India has been wanting to obliterate Pakistan for years... I say let India do what India's gotta do.

May 4, 2011 at 4:18 pm |

d.smith

Hey Jack,
Cut them off I can't believe we are cutting our own programs to reduce our spending for Americans while wasting money on a foriegn gov. that dosen't evn like or respect us.I think the point of them either lying to us about Bin Laden or that they are just incompetant releases us from any promises of cash we may have given.

May 4, 2011 at 4:23 pm |

Rick McDaniel

The US must recognize, that Pakistan is playing us for a sucker, and treat them accordingly.

Maybe be nice in public.......but not so nice in private.

Certainly, we have to re-examine aid to them.

May 4, 2011 at 4:24 pm |

Anthony J. Frascino from Swedesboro, NJ

What more do we need to know about the duplicity of Pakistan? They pocket billions of our dollars and placate the terrorists to save their own hide. If Osama was living in a cave instead of a mansion down the road from a military base, Pakistan may plead ignorance. But their face is now covered in mud and they're scrambling to save our naive infusion of dollars. Starve the beast until they show complete cooperation with our security concerns.

May 4, 2011 at 4:29 pm |

Steve, Clifton, VA

The U . S has no choice but to do what is in the best interest of the U. S on both a short term and long term basis. They are still a country that possesses Nuke capability and located in the mists of a region which is strategically critical and valuable to the security and well-being of the U. S.

May 4, 2011 at 4:36 pm |

Mark in BC

End all aid and withdraw our embassy staff. Let this "turd" world country know that we are not taking crap from anyone. The Pak Gov't has to do some serious soul searching if they want us as an ally. We don't need them as much as they need us.
Mark

If we continue our relationship with the Pak, we're dumber than they are.

May 4, 2011 at 4:38 pm |

Hari Boston MA

As to elaborate further on the godfather quote:
Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your enemies with nuclear weapons closest.

May 4, 2011 at 4:40 pm |

Randy

Stop financing ALL of this middle east welfare. Schools are being shut down in America and we're sending money overseas.

May 4, 2011 at 4:42 pm |

Paulette in Dallas,PA

I do not believe that the Pakistan government did not know Bin laden was living there. Cut out all aid to them until they meet whatever criteria the US puts forth in order to be reinstated as another one of our welfare recipients.

May 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm |

CRAIG R. MCNEES

tampa, fl should serve as a model of how ineffective our "foreign policy" is. you can't buy friendship or even rent it. stop borrowing money to give to all foreign nations now and put the money into securing our ports & borders.

May 4, 2011 at 4:47 pm |

Jim in Alabama

Jack, It's soooooo obvious that the Pakistani's knew where Bin Laden was OR they were just about as incompentent as they come. We should cut foreign aid to this country immediately since they're obviously liars and hiding Al Quadi. The problem is that they have nuclear weapons and are allegedly friendly to the U.S. This makes the issue confusing at best.

May 4, 2011 at 4:52 pm |

Cheryl in Bluffton, SC

Not much we can do, Jack – we will need their help again. One thing's for sure, though: President Obama made the right call keeping them in the dark!

May 4, 2011 at 4:59 pm |

Benny

I read someone comment saying that finidng out about this is like finding out your wife has been poisoning you using your own money. I think Pannerty is right they were either involved or incompetent . I honestly don't know which one is more likely to be true. Cause they both seem likely when it come to Pakistan. I don't think the U.S can cut off ties with Pakistan; that is recipe for disaster. i think they should use this as an opportunity to to put more pressure on Pakistan to catch all these criminals. They could also reduce their drone attacks to maybe appease the people and get more support. But they can't cut off ties

May 4, 2011 at 4:59 pm |

Kirk (Apple Valley, MN)

Invade! Weren't they harboring bin Laden? Isn't that what we did in Afghanistan?

May 4, 2011 at 5:00 pm |

tribemommy in Ohio

They should be put in the spotlight and everything they do in regards to terrorisim should be investigated. We do this internally in the US at Fortune 500 companies, there is no reason to be offended. It's not personal.

And Obama should release the photo of Osama. There are too many people doubting our government and with good reason!

May 4, 2011 at 5:00 pm |

capnmike

Captain Mike
Norfolk, Virginia
Do not send them ONE CENT MORE. They are only allies to our faces, as long as we give them more money. They are NOT allies in spirit, nor philosophy. Think instead of how $20 billion dollars could have been used here in our own country, to strengthen our infrastructure, education and industry. Giving away money to false friends is throwing it down a bottomless hole.

May 4, 2011 at 5:02 pm |

Jerry Johns Creek, GA

I am a skeptical old fart and am even more skeptical when issues turn to Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq. i may be wrong, but there is no doubt in my mind that the Pakistani's built that little fortress for Bin Laden basically to keep the US dollars flowing in my the billions and billions. As long as the hunt was on they were cashing in. They had to protect their investment like any prudent banker.

What should we do now? Ask Pakistan to turn over all of their nuclear weapons then plan a very speedy exit for our military. We could then sponsor Christian charities to go in to the country where their help would be welcomed and try to rebuild what has been destroyed by all of the unnecessary aggression those people brought on themselves.

May 4, 2011 at 5:03 pm |

Deepak

Cut down all the budget and ask for the right answer. The same thing is happening with India too. There are really providing shelter to those killers. The Obama government should not think twice but should cut down the money and ask for a fruitful answer.

May 4, 2011 at 5:03 pm |

Len Smith

They didn't do a thing to help us with killing bin Ladin or even finding him and they should be given holy hell for it. However, we still need them and so we did to come down hard on them to help us with the Taliban and all the intelligence they can verify and provide for us. For someone who would rarely agree with the House Speaker, I do now, and now is not the time to stop the foreign aid.

May 4, 2011 at 5:04 pm |

Wendell Glass

Does it really matter? Finding UBL was our responsibility, not that of Pakistan. Could they have been more helpful?-Sure. but was it in their interest to do so?–probably not. We have to depend on ourselves and not on others in cases like this.

May 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm |

matt kook

I am tired of this nonsense from both the US Government and Pakistan for the last 50 years. Are we waiting for a bigger tragedy than 9/11 to put the clamps on Pakistan? You probably can't sneeze there without the ISI permission and OBL was allowed to set-up a mansion!!
They are just better at English than the Arabs to fool the US while communicating about their intentions even if it is duplicitous(remember they have the British rule to thank for that).

May 4, 2011 at 5:06 pm |

Zaf Basha, DC

Is that what a million dollars buys you in Pakistan? And I thought it was bad in D.C.!

May 4, 2011 at 5:07 pm |

Brad

Jack, it is not only Pakistan, it is worldwide. Our foreign aid budget is way over the top. I think the argument could easily be made to all of them, and it can start with Pakistsn, that due to serious fiscal problems in This country, foreign aid must be reduced. That step is long overdue in my opinion. It's like we tell ours kids or our spouse, sorry but we can no longer afford this lifestyle.

May 4, 2011 at 5:07 pm |

Eardley Ham Woodbury, MN

Sever our military, intelligence-gathering and financial relationship at once. The leaders of Pakistan can only be depended upon to prevaricate on anything and everything.

In the end, the friends you buy for money are also for sale to your enemies.

May 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm |

Cary

Pakistan is a perfect example of why we can't buy friends. The government has had a program of "buying friends" and allies for decades and most of these paid friends end up enemies eventually or at the very least do as they please no matter how adversely it affects the US. We need the money in this country so we should to stop bribing half the world into liking us. Allowing bin Laden to live openly in a massive estate was Pakistan thumbing it's nose at us. Yes officially they didn't know a thing but it's obvious many of our "friends" knew exactly where he was so who are they really friends with in the end, us or the people we are fighting?

May 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm |

Kathie

The check is "no longer in the mail" Jack. Cut off all funding to Pakistan. Let's start rebuilding America!!!

Kathie
Spring, Texas

May 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm |

Steve A

As one of the only nuclear powers on our planet – compounded by the fact that terrorism is a part of their culture means that they simply cannot be disregarded and to do so would be crazy. The relationship has always been complicated and there has been dishonesty in their ranks and will always be the case. But the bottom line is we have gotten a great deal of value from their leadership because otherwise there would have been so called dirty bombs unleashed by terrorists by now and thats a fact.

May 4, 2011 at 5:09 pm |

Sandstone.

"What can you do about Pakistan? It's a sovereign state/country. They're no invading you. You're invading them!! Like any pretty-lady, You can watch, but you can't touch!"

May 4, 2011 at 5:09 pm |

Matt

I think its time to treat Pakistan like we treat Cuba – no help/no money. They could have assisted and this could have been over with years ago. They did not. You reap what you sow.

May 4, 2011 at 5:09 pm |

Linda

All aid to Pakistan should be stopped immediately. They were harboring the world's most notorious terrorist. Use the funds in the U.S.

May 4, 2011 at 5:09 pm |

knowthefacts

Pakistan's involvement with Osama or other terrorist groups is not new news to some of us. India has always beared the brunt of it . it is now on everyone's mind. I am however educated enough to know it is not all of Pakistan who is involved but a select few for whom these terror groups are mean's to get richer. Terror groups prevent economic growth which in turn promotes people to look into these groups as the only means of survival it continues to be a vicious cycle.
When education and basic needs are provided to everyone then and only then we have have hope in Pakistan and other places. I doubt there is truly a single person who really wants to fight in the name of Religion rather than that being thier only means to feed themselves.

May 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm |

FM Hilton

Cut off all their funding, immediately, and ask for refunds for the money we've given them over the years to help theme fight terrorism in Pakistan.
It's pretty obvious they didn't do their half of the bargain.

FMHilton
Norway ME

May 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm |

sri

Enough is enough. Trust is gone, so everything is gone. Pakistan has seen USA as friends. Now it is time for them to see our strength

May 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm |

patel

This is like giving milk to poisonus snake who will bite you beck.all money given to pakistan has been use to protact osama and promoting terorist.we need to reduce our deficit stop giving money we have given enough

May 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm |

Sri Reddy

There are number of other terrorists still hiding in the Pakistan.
it is the time for USA to fix pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm |

Lucy

While I am in no way qualified to give advice on foreign policy, common sense says that Pakistani officials have some serious explaining to do. While I don't think fueling more hostility with any country is a good idea right now, it might be prudent to cease any monetary contributions to Pakistan and dig into who they are truly supporting.

May 4, 2011 at 5:11 pm |

Jay Kay

At the very least, stop handing over millions of dollars. I'm really sick of that bologna.

May 4, 2011 at 5:11 pm |

Ralph

Well, realistically – nothing! We (U.S Taxpayers) have grudgingly sent billions there while they pay no taxes AND play us for fools. Almost every major terrorist is holed up in Pakistan and we don't have the will to send our forces into Pakistan and eliminate them....

May 4, 2011 at 5:12 pm |

Ralph

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Well, realistically – nothing! We (U.S Taxpayers) have grudgingly sent billions there while they pay no taxes AND play us for fools. Almost every major terrorist is holed up in Pakistan and we don't have the will to send our forces into Pakistan and eliminate them....
Ralph. Houston, TX

May 4, 2011 at 5:12 pm |

Dan Diebold

.. The Pakistani governement either knew or should have known he was there. Realize the political mentality we are dealing with and proceed with caution. Over reaction could cause more problems than we have now with Pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 5:13 pm |

Miguel

They need to be held accountable. While stopping all funds going to Pakistan sounds ideal, wouldn't that create more problems considering their level of government corruption and their status as a nuclear state? In this case, I'd consider them an enemy and keep them as close as possible.
-Hoboken

May 4, 2011 at 5:14 pm |

James in Tampa

I believe this so called aid money we give to foreign nations to help fight terrorism should be performance based. Intel first, then payment if it helps us. If these countries need the money as bad as they say, they'll find a way to help without being paid up front.

May 4, 2011 at 5:14 pm |

ivan

Jack,

We should have let India take care of Pakistan a long time ago. Why we ever chose to favor Pakistan over India (The world's largest democracy) is beyond my understanding. We pay for being so short sighted time and time again.

Musharraf needs to be held accountable but I am guessing that will never happen.

May 4, 2011 at 5:14 pm |

Richard Weber

Now that Bin Laden is dead concentrate on Afganistan and let India take care of Pakistan!

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Gigi Oregon

We had better make sure they our friends or we will never dig ourselves out of the holes we have made. Beginning with going to war without the consent of the people in the wrong country and without a budget to pay for it. And ending up in Pakistan nearly ten years latter.
The answer to your Question is, Get Their Act Together...

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Tim

Jack,

We need to seriously reassess our relationship with Pakistan. I fear we have been played for fools by them and it makes perfect sense. Osama was their cash cow. As long as he was safe and secure, we would give them billions in aid money. I think it's high time we either stop all military aid and spend that money here at home or provide it to India.

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Wendy

Jack, I think even a 3 year old could figure out the the government of Pakistan has been playing us for fools. They have received billions in aid and there is no doubt in my mind they knew who was living at that compound.
We need to cut off all future aid IMMEDIATELY!!!!

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Brad

1. Let American assets leave the region

2. Cut off aid to Pakistan/Afghanistan.

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Ron Triemstra

The U.S. needs to get serious about Pakistan. This country could quite conceivably be more of a haven for dangerous terrorists than places like Afganistan. Thankfully most Pakastani's are moderate however there are many little pockets were radical terorists can easily hide and develop their plans. I too question how is it possible that the officials and intel peeps in this Country have little or no knowledge of what goes on in their neighborhoods. Why the average citizens don't rise up and rid themselves of these fanatics is beyond me. Are they too afraid?..or perhaps the silence is roaring for another reason?

Ron
Ontario, Canada

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Brian, San Diego, CA

Pakistan has had a decade of U.S. support and aid to make some progress against al-Qaeda, and so far all they've accomplished is to complain whenever we do it for them. If we could know that all our money to Pakistan was actually making a difference, we could continue the aid, but the Pakistani government can't seem to keep up their end. At this point, Pakistan may simply have to face the consequences of its inaction.

May 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm |

Perry Butters

Stop the flow of money to Pakistan. Enter Waziristan via Afghanistan and kill all the Taliban and Al Quaeda we can find. Then bring our troops home.

Perry Butters
Las Vegas

May 4, 2011 at 5:16 pm |

steve marks

25 billion in aid and the pakistan govt. didnt know OBL was in there country. pull the money asap

May 4, 2011 at 5:16 pm |

Terrell

The only way to handle pakistan is to take them behind the per viable wood shed and give them a stern talking to. Why? Because our hands are tied. Just imagine al quaida with nuclear weapons. Handle pakistan the wrong way and you won't have to imagine

May 4, 2011 at 5:17 pm |

Melissa

Nothing...We should send them the bill for wasting time and resources when they knew where he was the entire time..

May 4, 2011 at 5:17 pm |

Pablo

The Middle East countries all have 2 faces, one for their neighbors and one for America. This was the perfect time to strike, the wars amongst themselves have become bigger than the wars with other Nations.

May 4, 2011 at 5:17 pm |

Donaldo in ATL

Leave immediately!! Stop all funding immediately. Demand an international body to oversee their Nuclear program. Send them a message that we are a new America..no more games...

May 4, 2011 at 5:18 pm |

Norm

Let Pakistan keep any money they've already received. However, any future funds allocated for them should be rerouted to India. Heck, India is more important to the US than Pakistan ever was. Just think about it for a moment. Every major customer call center is located there.

May 4, 2011 at 5:19 pm |

Saikat Paik

Stop all the aid to Pakistan. It is quite ridiculous for Pakistan to say that Usama was not there. Infact US should force Pak govt. to hand over all the accused of Mumbai 26/11 and declare ISI as a terrorist organisation. SHould bring Pakistan much closer to have a close watch on it.

May 4, 2011 at 5:19 pm |

Gary

Cut back on the aid since they're obviously not using it for its intended purpose! Pay them $10,000 for every verified terrorist they turn up. No terrorists, no money. They'll change their tune in a hurry!

Why do we give so many countries, organizations, and people so much money for doing NOTHING? No wonder this country is broke!

May 4, 2011 at 5:19 pm |

weallgotone

If he was so easy to find, then why did it take so long?

May 4, 2011 at 5:19 pm |

mark in arkansas

Cut off the aid until their government can figure out which side they're on. What else do you do to someone that harbors a criminal?

What we need to do is understand things work diff in those parts of the world. It's not bigoted, but their idea of truthfullness and dealing on the "up and up," is much diff than ours. We need to #1 cut aid to Paki or at the very minimum have serious strings attached w/ expectations, etc. #2 we need to deal w/ them in the same way, with duplicity. #3 Continue to develop relations w/ India. This will keep not only a counterbalance to Paki but in the long run will help us because India is in the future mix not paki...

May 4, 2011 at 5:20 pm |

Pradip Joshi

Do note give money
Divide the country in four part and let them worry about daily food so they do note have time to harbor Terrorism

May 4, 2011 at 5:20 pm |

Chris from Philadelphia, PA

Stroke them in public. Give them a knee to the groin behind the scenes. We would not benefit from publicly trashing them, nor cutting them off completely, though they deserve both. We need to be self-serving. But, there's no reason we can't cut the amount of foreign aid to Pakistan by a sizable percentage and give it instead to India. Or maybe a nice and juicy defense contract with India will get Pakistan's attention. We've shown them the carrot. Now it's time for a little stick.

May 4, 2011 at 5:20 pm |

Ralph Spyer

Keep giving them tons of money .Some one is making a lot of money with these wars.Russia was on our side in WW2 , Japan was on our side in the cold war, China was on our side in WW2, Germany was on our side in the cold war ,Italy was with us in WW1,Italy was against us the first half of WW2 then with us. The free French were with us the Government was against.Pakistan was with us in the cold war India was with Russa. IS this clear Jack we can not count on any one.

May 4, 2011 at 5:20 pm |

Kyll Long

Well Jack there's not a lot we can do we're damned if we do damned if we don't. If we abandon them some of those 100 nukes they have may end up with terrorists. As well they'll lock step with China. Our best option is to hope the Arab spring extends its reach to the far east and puts in a government that's more concerned with its own people than causing trouble elsewhere.

May 4, 2011 at 5:21 pm |

Michael

The Pakistani army undoubtably has many pro-western people, but it also has Islamic radicals and nuclear weapons. That combination would be dangerous to ignore.

May 4, 2011 at 5:21 pm |

Byron

Pakistan has lost their cash cow, which is the only reason Bin Laden had survived so long. I think it's time to take the cash away.

May 4, 2011 at 5:21 pm |

honest John in Vermont

Well, we could go nuclear– but maybe we should just take away their allowance and ground them. Or we just realize that they lie to us.

May 4, 2011 at 5:22 pm |

Scott H

What should the US do about Pakistan? Well Jack, that's easy. Pull all financial and logistical support and double up on our diplomatic ties to their sworn enemy, India. You simply NEVER hear about radical Hindus killing Americans home or abroad.

May 4, 2011 at 5:22 pm |

Mark Dwyer

When this started, we were told that we would make no distinction between the terrorists and those who harbored them. Whether or not Pakistan was technically harboring Bin Laden I guess is up for some debate. In the very least, they were wildly inept in their attempts to find him, but its much more likely that they really weren't trying. We should take a close look at the aid we're sending to Pakistan and assess whether they are a true ally who shares our goals. It would be hard to say that they do. We would be better off working to improve our ties with India, and pressure Pakistan to distance themselves from the Islamist terrorism that they seem to in the best case scenario be fairly ambivalent toward, if not promoting in some ways.

May 4, 2011 at 5:22 pm |

nepaliguy

dont waste billions on these countries..rather invest it in intelligence and training US army..that way you save billions dollar in aid to these countries...and instead of attacking the whole country and keeping the base there...cut the tree roots..kill the extreme leaders one by one ...as done in this case...

May 4, 2011 at 5:22 pm |

Derek

In regards to Pakistan, the United States I believe is in a "leverage" posture now. We need the Taliban to be wrangled in and if the Pakistani government wants to save face, now is the time to get on board with our agenda in that region of the world.

May 4, 2011 at 5:22 pm |

Nan in Miami

We should be careful with any knee-jerk reactions and we will be.

May 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm |

Sharad DHARAMSHI

Call spade a spade. Pakistan is a terrorist state and US must call it as such. It is an open and shut case, period.

May 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm |

Kenneth Krieger

I have no idea. Their culture is very different. When I look at the different way Democrats and Republicans behave, there may be cultures we just can not communicate with. I am politically to the right of John Wayne. Ronald Reagan was too liberal for me and you are one on the illegitimate children of some socialist dictator. Let's just hope that live and let live will work with them. Ken Krieger Cape Coral Florida

May 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm |

April, Iowa

I think we should disregard them as a ally because they don't seem to be living up to the status of ally. I'm sure they knew exactly where Bin Laden was hiding and now they are upset because we went into their country and got him. Of course they are going to try and cover their tracks because they don't want to look bad to the rest of the world. I don't suggest a war with them but I do think we should cut off all ties with them.

May 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm |

Angela

We should simply,remain silent and use that famous gesture" I got my eyes on you"

May 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm |

Linda in Charleston, SC

Quit paying them off and quit paying any country off for a relationship. Our politicians keep making more problems in paying all these people off. Bombing and rebuilding, bombing and rebuilding. Put OUR taxpayer monies in our own country. Quit paying other countries to educate their children and educate our own. Quit rebuilding other countries and rebuild our own.

May 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm |

Brian U'Ren, Brockville Canada

I have a 4 letter word for countries that purposely give haven to terrorists while denying it... NUKE!

May 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm |

Maz

I am not sure why US is not learning their lesson. Pakistan play the same double game in soivet war and now in Afghan war. Are we blind or stupid. US govt Audit and throw in jail to its own Citizen for not paying taxes then why we are not auditing Pakistan when they are receving US Tax payer money wake up! America wake up!. Can someone ask this question from Mr President ?

May 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm |

Sudhir Kumar

US has to be blunt with Pakistan . Here are few things which can be done .

1. Increase the CIA presence . Increase number of consulate and folks working there .

4. Be tough to Pakistani military . Do not talk and value them more than they deserve . Its them who calls the shots, harbor terrorist .

5. Be more emphatic to eliminate rest of Al-Quada and Taleban .
Haqaani network, LET and Indian/Afghan focused Terrorist group and sympathizers needs to be SEAL-ED .

Thanks
Sudhir

May 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm |

becky - Las Vegas

Not sure what to do about Pakistan, Jack, but I know the monetary aid should stop immediately. Also, I disagree that the neighbors necessarily knew somehing. How many times has the neighbor of a murderer (who sometimes killed people in the house or buried them underneath) said that the murderer were quiet, nice and never caused a problem?

May 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm |

Bert Schnider

Ever hear of the saying "Don't bite the hand that feeds you"? I say stop feeding Pakistan U.S. dollars. Use that monet ro rebuild America.

May 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm |

Gary Cardinale

Jack,
Using the intelligence which led us to Bin Laden, it should be simple enough to backtrack and see which members/branches of the Pakistani military were in his hard drives. We know the ISI supports the Haqqani organization. Pakistan was told at the beginning, "you are with us or against us" Splitting the difference was not an option. We should drastically cut our funding to Pakistan and insist that any further funding is contingent on cooperation. It strains credulity to think that no one in the government know that Bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan. We should focus on drawing down our troop level in Afghanistan sharply this summer, and put both Karzai and Pakistan's leadership on notice that we have had enough corruption and duplicity. Decide where you stand.

May 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm |

Joe

Jack,
We can never satisfy mercenaries; therefore, let us get out of Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and all the other middle eastern countries (isn't this what Bin Laden wanted?). We do not need to police the world, the world's problems are too big for any one country to manage. Protect our borders and let the rest of the world (including Israel) fight for themselves.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
P.S. For additional suggestions: let us get out of Europe, Asia, and any other places we think we can police.

May 4, 2011 at 5:25 pm |

roshev32

I have no doubt that Pakistani security forces are heavily infiltrated by Al Qaeda and Taliban sympathizers, but it is probably not a good idea to assume all Pakistanis are of the same mind set. We have both enemies and friends over there, and we should do our best to keep our friends. Of course it is not always possible to know which side people are on.

May 4, 2011 at 5:25 pm |

doug

Get a refund and stop all financial support for their govt.

May 4, 2011 at 5:25 pm |

John Hart

reduce the amount of aid to minimum and let the Indians deal with Pakistan
If we divorce Pakistan, who gets the house?
Sour Lake, Texas

May 4, 2011 at 5:25 pm |

Farhan Bhaba

Pakistan's inability to identify OBL's location was not there because of lack of intent. It is Pakistan's dysfunctional nature of government and of all it's institutions that led to it's failure. More alarming is Pakistani leaders' inability to act on the prevailing incompetence.

Pakistan is, perhaps, the most critical ally in the war on terror – for good or for bad. Therefore, US must engage in efforts to promote competent leadership that has the kind of support which would help introduce rapid and serious reforms as far as state institutions are concerned. Eradication of corruption-filled culture, transitioning of educational system and transforming the socio/economic environment should be some of the targets.

So, how do we achieve these goals? Use Financial resources not to catch al-qaeda head(s), but to build educational infrastructure, use media to promote leaders who have the will to give Pakistan a realistic direction, use diplomacy to keep the pressure on government, use international policy to promote people-to-people contact. In all of this, let's not forget that now would be the best time to draw a realistic exit strategy from the Afghan war, which, obviously does not mean abondoning Af-Pak.

May 4, 2011 at 5:25 pm |

DANIEL

Pakistan obviously is being deceitful; the proof is in the pudding. As a test we must make strict demands of Pakistan and see that they are followed through. Some say that that we need them in the war on terrorism but do we really need an ally who is so deceitful that they would dare hide our enemies in that same war? That is not a friend but clearly a lion in sheep’s clothing and that we can do without.

May 4, 2011 at 5:26 pm |

Tim

I believe that we need to insist on a deep investigation as to Intel that they had on bin laden in the past 8 yrs, followed by huge economic sanctions against Pakistan!!!!!!!!!!

May 4, 2011 at 5:26 pm |

askme

We should have have asked this question long time back and before donating billions of dollars to ISI. Pakistan has 2 governments. One who takes money from us but the other government uses it for military purpose. Come on people is it so hard to understand that ISI is the government? Stop sending money instead send food and books if you really want to use Aid wisely.

May 4, 2011 at 5:26 pm |

Sanjay

US next generations will have to pay about 100 times of the money that is now flowing into Pakistan from US. This money will be required to stop nulcear proliferation, waging war with some Muslim country whose side Pakistan takes and some unpredictable scenarios. Atleast draining the money flow now can make some of the corrupt leaders less powerful and unable to cope up with the wrath of the locals. Sometimes such decisions are difficult but then it is like teaching an individual to own up their responsibility. Stop aid – things will be good after few bumps.

May 4, 2011 at 5:26 pm |

Ketan Modi

When we going to learn from our boomerang policies, we feed and kill Saddam, then Osama and now Pakistan?

Streamwood, IL

May 4, 2011 at 5:27 pm |

Angel Gonzalez

The U.S. (like a corporation supporting a project) should run a "Return On Investment" analyst regarding this financial deal with Pakistan. See if based on what they have gotten from them over the years warrants continuing this deal. If this is a money losing deal, then cut it off, heck my road down here can use some streetlights.

May 4, 2011 at 5:27 pm |

Bill George

We have given Pakistan billions of dollars that their government officials have most likely pocketed.
It's time for us to help India before these terrorists try to infiltrate this great friend of the USA.

I wouldn't trust Pakistan with a box of Crackerjacks

Bill – Florida

May 4, 2011 at 5:27 pm |

nimrod

Cut back the money to Pakistan. Pakistan cannot be trusted. Instead, the US should lead an effort to create a multinational system that all countries must pay into for support. In turn, this multinational system would be assigned to hotspots throughout the world, such as Syria and Afghanistan, to stabilize the situation.

May 4, 2011 at 5:27 pm |

JB

Unfortunantly, due to the graphic nature of my personal opinion, I simply cannot give it.

May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

Earl

When it comes to foreign policy, there are no friends or enemies – just those who further your interests and those who don't. Pakistan and the US share common interests so we should continue on our current course.

May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

Sanjay Michigan

US next generations will have to pay about 100 times of the money that is now flowing into Pakistan from US. This money will be required to stop nulcear proliferation, waging war with some Muslim country whose side Pakistan takes and some unpredictable scenarios. Atleast draining the money flow now can make some of the corrupt leaders less powerful and unable to cope up with the wrath of the locals. Sometimes such decisions are difficult but then it is like teaching an individual to own up their responsibility. Stop aid – things will be good after few bumps

May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

Jim, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Absolutely nothing, Jack. The military, the CIA and the White House all knew that they couldn't trust Pakistan, they already said so. Don Corleone speaks for the ages.

May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

Rick Smith

Jack,
It is for sure that the ISI built the mansion specifically for Bin Laden. Common sense would dictate that is the case. Al Qeida, Taliban are just the front men and ISI is the real backbone for these organisations. ISI is very likely harboring other members of Al Qeida and orchestrated London, Madrid and Mumbai bombings. All these days they were probably laughing their behinds off at the double game they were playing. I doubt the civilian government had the inside information. It is the military that continues to call the shots. US should force Pakistan to dismantle the ISI and that should cut the real snake head.
Thanks,
Rick.

May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

Rick

I would remind them of something President Bush said..harbor terrorists, you are just as guilty as the terrorists, you are an enemy of the United States, and you will be held accountable. But I am doubting Obama has the fortitude to stand strong as others have in that regard. Go after any terrorist in their country at our own free will, without their permission is what I would be doing.

May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm |

Deborah Seibert,. Co

We should pull our military and ESPECIALLY OUR MONEY out of that country. They have played us false. In fact, we should leave the middle east completely. Our mission has been accomplished and this is our chance to withdraw with honor.

May 4, 2011 at 5:29 pm |

Michael R. Van Every - San Jose, CA

What's the saying, "where's there's smoke there's fire"? Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism with American money. Other terrorist states like Libya, Sudan and Iran are given UN Sanctions, but Pakistan get's aide. I am glad we showed Pakistan that we can manuever our military however and whenever we like to protect our citiizens.

May 4, 2011 at 5:29 pm |

Shane Rivers

Pakistan is a bankrupt country survive only on US aid, that too they spent on terror activities in neighboring countries, in another word US aid supporting terrorist activities in India. Think about a country with nuke who claim they don’t know Osama living 2 hour drive from their capital, how can they prevent their nuke falling into terrorist hand, if their spy agency so weak. US should work out a solution with India and Israel and break Pakistan into multiple pieces.

May 4, 2011 at 5:29 pm |

Roland

In order to save to what is left, if at all, any trust from the U.S. Pakistan MUST deliver Al-qaeda's #2 man: al-Zawahiri

As it stand now, the Pakistani government and their Intelligence agency- ISI does not have a leg to stand on when it comes to trusting them. We've been hoodwinked into thinking they were helping find OBL, instead they've been laughing all the way to the bank cashing all those checks we've been sending them. Someone is getting fat in Pakistani land.

May 4, 2011 at 5:29 pm |

Bill

Mindfull that Pakistan is a nuclear power is going to be a problem. We are presently giving them a lot of support. The smart thing to do would be to run away from Afghan mess so we do not have to depend on them as a base of operation. Then we can ween them off our wallet. They are too big a drain on our treasury.

May 4, 2011 at 5:30 pm |

Bani watum

All Pakistani politicians and Generals just want US dollars to maintain their lifestyle and in return don't mind paying lip service to fighting terrorism. They want terrorism to continue because that is the only way they can "milk" US.

What should the US do with Pakistan? Kick their butts as hard as possible. They will take it meekly because no one else is going to pay them billions of dollars every year.

May 4, 2011 at 5:30 pm |

Bobby

Not much, except build a stronger Alliance with India!

May 4, 2011 at 5:30 pm |

Duke, sarasota

Follow the money trail, Jack. It would be a hoot if they found out that
the millions of dollars in aid sent to Pakistan was used to build the
government hideout. . . .Oops, I mean Bin Laden's mansion compound.

May 4, 2011 at 5:30 pm |

Dezarae

Pakistan ... well... It only takes one bad apple to make the whole barrel bad. I was in the US army and served in Iraq and Kosovo. There are a lot of innocent civilians laced in with the terrorists. As what we should do, I think we should keep them within arms length. We dont need another war. Yet, You cant trust everyone, trust is earned and not given. They will have to earn our trust. And any decision is a leap of faith. Not like we could put pakistan on a lie dectector on everything they say.

May 4, 2011 at 5:31 pm |

Denise

The U.S. should hold up any monetary aid to this country! Millions of $$$ going to a country who doesn't support us, harbors terrorists, and continues to work against us. Let them go......start funneling the money back into our own country where it's needed.

May 4, 2011 at 5:31 pm |

Jas

Pakistan always played a double game. US knew this but never took a action because of its own interest in the region. They befooled the world by their well engineered lies and able to get billions of $$ aid. Now the truth is in front of the word. Stop the aid to this terrorist generating nation and spend this money on the health care and other developmental projects in USA.

Congrats to Obama to expose this crafty nation.

May 4, 2011 at 5:31 pm |

Georges

Increase the yearly bribe like we've been doing for all countries in the middle-east. Don't we have the money? as much money we have given Mubarak, he's no more. As much money we had given Pakistan, we got OBL without their help...Nice going big spenders.

May 4, 2011 at 5:31 pm |

Paul

The Pakistani government is walking a fine line. They don't believe the U.S. Can win Afghanistan, and would much rather have the Taliban there as opposed to seeing influence from India. The only reason Pakistan entered the war on terror was when the Pakistani Taliban was formed and threatened their own government. The Pakistanis aren't out to help us!

Mobile, AL

May 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm |

Yasmin

I think US should stop giving blank checks and billion dollars to Pakistan. The country who supported Bin Laden and he was living 40 minutes away from the capital State of Islamabad.
LasVegas, Nevada

May 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm |

Reinaldo T

For 20 billion dollars the US spent enough money to have bought the Pakistani Army by now. I say we fire the Pakistani army and hire Haliburton to do the job. With Cheney at the helm at least we will know who's side the security force is on and besides we all know Cheney is a good marksman!

May 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm |

BeAnonymous

1. Stop the aid given by US, as this might be misused by them and also try to stop any other aids provided by other foreign governments or bodies
2. Impose sanctions till they stop exporting terrorism or harboring terrorists, so that the state government can realize the world view about them.
3. If both of the above still does not make Pakistan stop their activities then take independent action without informing their government breaching their sovereignty

May 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm |

Ankit Shah

U.S should look at long term view and cooperate much more deeply with India. That is the only country in the region which can stand against Pakistan & China in from military, political and cultural perspective.

Pakistan should only be given aid based on performance (ha...360 degree performance on global scale!). Also, aid should only be provided for humanitarian causes and not military reasons. If Pakistan still goes against U.S interests, do we really need their permission to take action against them?

May 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm |

AMP

Dear Mr. Cafferty,

You do not need to be a Rocket Scientist to figure out who was protecting him. Even a 10 years old kid will make an honest and correct judgement on this. Instead of making diplomatic statments by our Govt., it is a time to ask Pakistan to nutralize all the nucelar weapons they have before their ISI and Army hand over them to terrorists. I think it is best thing for USA and the world to keep safe and secure. Now whole world will back USA for any action it takes. The World knows about Pakistan Malicious tacticts and their financial and logistic support to terrorists. There are numerous terrorist camps in Pakistan. USA must destroy them.

May 4, 2011 at 5:33 pm |

mickey patel

we need to remove paistan from map

how we can trust pakistan when whole world is know that pakistan is safe haven for terrorist.

i remember abraham lincoln remark "you can fool one person for long time but you can not fool so many people one time" certainly not american people.

now americas most wanted man dowood abraham is also in pakistan

go and get him too

May 4, 2011 at 5:33 pm |

Graham

Hindsight's 20/20. That compound could've housed a drug dealer, an arms trader, intelligence services (ISI) watching rivals in the army, human traffickers, political agents. There are lots of places like that in the world but there was only one bin Laden.

May 4, 2011 at 5:33 pm |

kamal

Fremont, CA

It was naive on the part of US to believe they can trust Pakistan. It is ruled by corrupt officials. Any aid that is given to Pakistan from now on, should only be used to educate the people of Pakistan, improve the standard of living, economy, etc. When they taste the economic success that neighbors like India and China have experienced, they will give up radicalism and won't risk their lives for thugs like Bin Laden.

May 4, 2011 at 5:33 pm |

Justin

I think we should help them out a little and train Pakistani soldiers and give support i would say.

May 4, 2011 at 5:33 pm |

Praveen

So what else is the US looking for Pakistan to do ?

If one fake WMD photo was good enough to launch a war on Iraq, lets see what we have here

1. Nuclear Proliferation
2. Terrorist Haven
3. US Hating Population
4. Sucking up US aid and in turn sleeping with the enemy
5 Involved in CIA officers killing directly or indirectly
6. Harboring Mumbai terrorists and doing nothing about it
7. And now Bin Laden – sitting in their belly and they are pleading ignorance ?

Isnt this hitting the US on its face and spelling out "terrorist state"

Just what else are we looking for them to do before we whip them ?

May 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm |

John

Pakistan to me has always been two faced to the US. They want our aid and make big promises for it. But in reality they are empty promises.
No more perfect example then Bin Laden living just a few miles from a Pakistan military installation. We need to break ties with them, at least in terms of aid and help. Pakistan's government is not our friend and certainly no help to the war on terror. The only reason the US is even friends with Pakistan is their nukes! We are afraid bad people will get a hold of them and fire them at Israel. This does seem possible considering Bid Laden was a resident of Pakistan. But I feel we still need to do something to show Pakistan they have failed the US.

May 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm |

Ken

Treat them as a nation who support terrorists. Cut all aid of any kind. Have all friendly nations cut their aid also. Have NATO kick them out of the nuclear club and take their nukes by force if they resist. Put a trarvel ban on it for all americans like cuba.

May 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm |

Bill

The Pakistani government has used Osama as a way to justify the aid. Many Pakistanis do want all foreign people including the United States to leave their country. Therefore, the US government should let the Pakistani official knows that United States would draw down on the war against the Al Qaeda and would withdraw from Afghanistan and Pakistan within a fix number of months. Along with the withdrawal, the foreign aid given to Pakistan would be scaled back and would be replaced by grant that would be given on a case by case basis. If the Pakistani government is serious about eliminating the influence of Al Qaeda in their country, their actions and verifiable results would draw sufficient support from the US Congress to grant them future support and resource. There is absolutely no reason to provide financial support in advance to any foreign county that has no intention to work side by side with the USA to eliminate a mutual enemy.

May 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm |

Larry of Boston

Jack, treat them like we treat any other nation that harbors and protects terrorists, because that is what they did for 6 years, maybe since 9-11. Now, we cannot bomb them like we did the Taliban in Afghanistan for allowing bin Laden to operate there, but at a minimum we should cut off all military aid and any other financial aid – shut off the gravy train. And we should cool relations with them, and this should be done in a very public way. I love what Panetta said about them – Obama should follow suit

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Tim

Unfortunately, the only thing that CAN be done is to simply cut off aid. Pursuing this further is a likely way of increasing the tension in an area of the world that is already a tinderbox. Just walk away and remember that this government is not an ally, and should not receive a benefit that we can use far better here.

Tim NYC

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Frankie in DC

Pakistan is not our ally. Last year, Congress set aside $1.5 Billion in economic and military aid to this nation – a nation whose leader HAD to know bin Laden was hiding directly under his noses – and, yes, I said noses, plural, because this guy is quite obviously a two-faced liar. Let's stop sending our hard-earned tax dollars to a country whose people want us dead.

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Sandip Lahiri

US should

1. Keep Pakistan closer as an enemy. Pakistan is now the confirmed epicenter of terrorism. The question is how will Pakistan reciprocate?

2. Need to find other channels to gather intelligence. India could be such a channel.

3. Keep an open mind and establish rapport with the young Pakistanis. In one of the CNN video I saw, they looked sharp, alert, and vocal. We may not like what they think and say today. But then they could be our allies in building a better Pakistan tomorrow.

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Bill Foonman

The Pakistanis are clearly duplicitous and untrustworthy so cut off all aid. The same goes for the Palestinians who have now embraced a terrorist group to form a coalition government.

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Brandy

Jack,
I think it is high time that we STOP AIDING THE ENEMY. We know that Pakistan cannot be trusted. They have proven this time and time again. I believe with every fiber of my being that there were at least a handful of govt officials there that knew exactly whom was living there and were probably on the take. This is just another example in a long line of others of our tax dollars being used against us. Nice...

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Jamie

Pakistan officials obviously knew about Bin Laden's whereabouts and chances are they may helped to shelter him. Pakistan seems to be "wishy-washy" and cannot be trusted. They can't be allies to America and America shouldn't hash out any aid to them..we should get our money back. -jamie. Juneau, Alaska

May 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm |

Tom

Treat Pakistan as a terrorist state.

May 4, 2011 at 5:36 pm |

Zack I

Lack of Trust
Trust takes a lifetime to build but make one mistake and its all gone. Just like suspecting spouses, no explaination is good enough albeit how good it is. There was air of mistrust between the two to begin with... Pakistan shared selectively and US took it all in and shared with no body. Its hard to say who is to blame here... but one things is for sure, there's no going back... this marriage is meant to be broken... things will never be the same!!!

Lets not forget why we are there... to beat Al-Qaida and Taliban. With mission accomplished and OBL dead, US should pull out. We are not there to solve the problems of the world... this region has not seen peace in recent memory. Pakistan has nukes and backing of China... it makes no sense to turn an ally into foe. Salvage what we can and bring our troops home.

May 4, 2011 at 5:36 pm |

Jeannette

do a "stop payment" on the check !

May 4, 2011 at 5:36 pm |

M Alam

Pakistan has every incentive to prolong war.its a money maker for military and ISI

May 4, 2011 at 5:36 pm |

Sukumar

Pakistan have been playing us for fools. They take billions of our tax payer money and use it against us. All the weapons and Taliban killing US soldiers are from Pakistan. It is clear that this country has become Terroristan while the rest of the Muslim world is awakening to freedom. Solution is to defang them (take away their nukes) and dismantle them so Islamic terror dies.

May 4, 2011 at 5:36 pm |

Indian

Keep an open eye on Pakistan It has various terrorist groups that work hand in hand with Al quaeda, which receives funds and training from Al quaeda and ISI And is very influential within their governments...That is what an Indian who is seeing terrorist attacks of pakistan from long way back can tell you. So keep an open eye Laden cannot be there in pakistan and cannot own such a building without someone in the Govt cooperating

May 4, 2011 at 5:37 pm |

Greg Leas

Turn off the flow of dollars to Pakistan completely. What a waste of money that was! Spend it on something in our own country, our aging infrastructure. Let's get the hell out of Afganistan while were at it!

May 4, 2011 at 5:38 pm |

SM

$ 18 Billion is peanuts... How much did you spent yearly to operate against the terrorists? A few hundred billion... and you cry about $ 18 Billion.

Don't give the $ 3 Billion annually and procure another line of supplies instead of Pakistan, then.

May 4, 2011 at 5:38 pm |

Alex Turner

Very simple, tell them to give up the number 2 terrorist or lose US monetary aid. If the Pakistani Intel agency was indeed hiding Bin Laded, wouldn't it be crazy if any US monetary aid was used to build the compound?

May 4, 2011 at 5:38 pm |

Kris

Pakistan was playing double game all along and selectively sharing information. They know that once Bin Laden is found/dead there is no more reason for USA to give them aid – a pretty good reason for them to not just turn blind eye but actually protect him. Its a shame that our govt/security agencies didnt see this for this long. The oft-repeated argument that we need Pakistan to fight terrorism (especially Afghan based) is well used by Pakistan and its lobbyists to get more aid. Security agencies should now reveal the value of information that we received over the years – I guess they wont not because of security concerns but because its useless (if we ever received any).

May 4, 2011 at 5:39 pm |

Keith

If they knew, how did they keep it a secret from the US. There was a $25 million reward offered. Would all the townspeople and all the military be that committed to Bin Laden, and that disciplined that word would not get out?
Or do we think it was obvious he was there, but only to a very small number of people? Sort of runs counter to the concept of "obvious".

I don't doubt people knew "something was up", but I think it's easier to believe that they just thought it was not in their best interest to know what that "something" was.

May 4, 2011 at 5:39 pm |

mary

no money tp pakistan until there is answers.No way in hell did people not know about him being around .when some one like him moves into an area word gets around.Peole in the area had to be protecting him.this is not the first perosn like bin laden caught in this town the guy who did the bali bombing was caught in that town . if the do a door to door search of evey house in the area they are going to find people that are part of bin ladens group .

May 4, 2011 at 5:39 pm |

Lester from Brisbane, CA

After decades of military rule, the civilian government of Pakistan is incredibly weak. Nonetheless, we aren't going to do better so we will have keep working with them. Most of the $20 billion you mentioned however was used to irritate India rather than go after terrorists, so we need to end the no-strings-attached cash.

May 4, 2011 at 5:40 pm |

Drew

You know as well as i do, what should be done about Pakistan. All aid of any and every kind, except earthquake relief, should cease immediately. Not one single cent more.

But do you know what will the US do?

Absolutely nothing !!!!

This is my absolute and certain belief. I am willing to bet money on it. I dont know if the US is scared of taking any firm action, or ...

Just the way many people in Pakistani government and military undoubted knew of UBL's whereabouts, and perhaps provided help and support, the same way, there are many people in the US government and Pentagon and State Department who will always turn a blind eye to anything that Pakistan does.

You will likely not read this on air or otherwise - but it doesnt matter to me.

May 4, 2011 at 5:40 pm |

walter carrier

America should cut off all monies that go to that rouge company. They just do not care about life. Bring all US troops home.

May 4, 2011 at 5:40 pm |

Ted, Chicago IL

When the US defeated Japan in WWII, we didn't rub their noses in it. Instead, we made the difficult decision to help them rebuild their country so that the future could be one of shared prosperity and lasting peace between our two nations. If it becomes clear that Pakistan was complicit in hiding bin Laden, the US needs to take our ball and go home. Let the stain of supporting the mass murder of innocents fester on their state until another nation puts their treachery to rest. For this American, it would be enough to say "Screw you guys, I'm going home."

May 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm |

Eric

Cut them off from ALL foreign aid until they can demonstrate their commitment to helping us fight terrorism overseas. My wife was born in Pakistan and has a lot of family still there and she is absolutely sickened by her country for letting this go on and completely agrees that they should not receive a dime from us until they step up to the plate.

May 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm |

jimvsmij

We can no longer believe anything that they say. If they say that their nuclear arsenal is secure then we have to believe otherwise for safety sake. We have to act believing the worst case scenario with Pakistan, which is that nuclear weapons can fall into extremist's hands at anytime, if not already. Now our mission is to do whatever we can to remove this threat of mass destruction at the hands of radical Islamic extremists. There cannot be a nuclear Pakistan on this planet.

May 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm |

Miguel Araque

Ignore it. Just like the U.S. does with Mexico. Let the country (Pakistan) implode, just like it is already happening in Mexico.

Hermosillo, Mexico

May 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm |

Ben

Let them fend for themselves, we have our own problems here in America.

Now that Osama is gone (so they say), the reason we went over there in the first place was to "get him".. We did that, job done, bring the troops home and use that revenue to rebuild our own Country.

May 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm |

Mita

1. USA must help with reducing the power and influence of Pakistani army and ISI over the country's elected officials. No matter who is prime minister or president in Pakistan, the real head of the state there is always Pakistani army and its love child ISI.
2. Ask the Pakistani government to provide the names of people in ISI, Pakistani army and government who are shielding the terrorists.Arrest them put them in Gitmo for interrogation.
3. Pressure them to deliver top 10 Al qaida and Laskar-e -taiba heads within 3 months.

If Pakistan fails to fulfill these 2 demands, stop the aid immediately and declare Pakistan a terrorist country.

Mita From California

May 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm |

phil John

Here we are giving 3 Billions a year to a country which is run by the military. The reason why they do receive the money: to help capture Bin Laden and get rid of the Taliban.
We know where the money goes. In Swiss bank accounts. So please tell me why in the world would you like them to give up their source of income?
Reason why i think they built a house in a military city, ( because they couldn't imagine the US would take a risk to go get him there.) So that their source of income could be protected.

May 4, 2011 at 5:42 pm |

Ram

Mission accomplished. Save tax dollars and our soldiers lives. Move out and let Pakistan deal with their home grown terror.

Reading, PA

May 4, 2011 at 5:42 pm |

Kyle W.

Nothing militarily, but threatening to pull the funding that comes through to them every year will hold some serious weight. I'm kind of glad this happened, if they would have turned him in, they would have asked for MORE money. Now we don't necessarily have to give them anything, and if they want our aid they will be our puppet for the foreseeable future.

May 4, 2011 at 5:42 pm |

mondo

Make thm repay all the money back 2 the UNITED STATES!

May 4, 2011 at 5:43 pm |

Charles

The Pakistani's have killed more terrorist than Great Britan, so should we cut off the British too?

May 4, 2011 at 5:43 pm |

OBDAG, from Appleton, WI

As I starter I would expect the United States to cutback the amont of annual foreign aid we provide to Parkistan. While it's true the aid isn't intended to allow them to buy common since it certainly would seem that the Pakistanee authorities could use some help in learning how to keep their eyes open and put 2 and 2 together. It has' taken me near that long to figure out that one of my neighbors is probably a drug dealer and for me to pass the information on to the local police. Maybe the Pakistanee's should hire me to teach them the basics in life.

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

Eugene

about Pakistan, theres really nothing we can do, has anyone thought about what would happen to Pakistan if they indeed implicated themselves as being on the US's side and actually information to us?? Pakistan at the moment is a volcano waiting to erupt. Bottom line we killed him. The US has a claim in asking all these questions. But if an uprising to start in the that area because Pakistan admit they knew and relayed information, we couldn't protect them in any way or form from the entire Middle East which is more or less on both sides of the issue as well.

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

Craig Brandenburg

Pakistan leaders should be tried for aiding and abetting. The 20 billion should be given back and the US forces should just go in and take over that piece of god forsaken country and call it our own.

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

James Cornett

Jack, just my opinion but Musharraf in no way wanted our troops in his country, why wouldn't he want us there, he is like a double agent, while we were giving money to Pakistan to help fight the terrorist he was getting money from Bin Laden for his protection, he had good reason to keep us out.

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

John M

I just watched an interview with a European gentleman that says the compound in which bin Laden was living, was actually an ISI safe house that was constructed for militant fighters traveling to the Khyber region. To me, this makes the most sense. The US government probably knew this. Thus the reason for not letting the Pakistani government know we were coming to pay this compound a visit. It is also the reason he was still there when we arrived.

Sadly, it would not surprise me if the billions we have paid the ISI and or Pakistani government for help finding the terrorists actually was used to hide them.

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

Patriot2011

Enough is Enough! We have wasted 20 billion on this rouge nation, an epicenter of terrorism. Calling Pakistan an Ally is a joke! and it has to stop. What more proof we need? A nuclear terrorist attack planned from Islamabad? We must stop wasting tax payer's money to feed this snake who is biting us again and again and declare this nation what it is, that is 'A rouge nation'.

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

Jim Tibbets

Pakistan had to know where Bin Laden was all along. I mean they could not possibly have been that stupid! Not one more penny of aid from the United States should they receieve. They are as bad or worse than the Taliban for taking our taxpayers money even while they helped him hide out. Jim Tibbets, Coffeyville Kansas

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

kevin bouldin

pakistan hid bin laden in their country cause it was a win,win. they could collect the 3 billion a year in aid to hunt him and knowing where he is they knew as long as they hide him they could allways collect the 3 billion. thats why he wasent caught. mcminnville tenn

May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm |

David Thomas

Suspend all military aid while we investigate their complicity.

May 4, 2011 at 5:45 pm |

Chad

Pakistan is obviously not our ally. They had no involvement in Bin Laden's demise. If notified of the DEVGRU assault, the ISI would have relocated him. They owe us a refund.

(Virginia Beach, VA)

May 4, 2011 at 5:45 pm |

claudia deprez

No help : No Money... really... cough up whoever else is residing in your country... or we are moving on, we have enough problems at home we can use the money here... PS Thanks for your help!
Claudia Blairsville, Georgia

May 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm |

Hoot

It does'nt take a brain surgeon to believe someone knew. Leiflets and matchbooks have saturated the country for year with his image on them. I say we withhold all future funds till we get answers.

Hoot G.
Columbus, Ga.

May 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm |

jay

Hold back the aid money and disperse it to the active duty military as a bonus

May 4, 2011 at 5:48 pm |

steve

Make Pakistani Military eradicate all Al Queda in Pakistan...else no more foreign aid.

May 4, 2011 at 5:48 pm |

Gerald (Tampa, FL)

Nothing we should do about Pakistan. Its not our country and we have enough of our own problems. We should let them shape their own future and either be our allies on mutual terms or simply agree to disagree in future international affairs.

May 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm |

brandon

I think Bush once said we will punish Anyone who Aids fund and Harbor terrorist Soooo.... Bin laden found and killed deep inside pakistan ...ITs a no brainer america should take away there nukes immediatley! And consider de militarization they are now a Threat and no longer a allie by rule of common since

May 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm |

Mike Fromm Massachusetts

We have to remember that Pakistan has over 100 nuclear weapons at their disposal which could conceiveably fall into the wrong hands, so I believe we should still deal with them. We might not wish to provide the amount of money as generously as in the past and we should tell them that. However I believe we still need their help in this region , even as distasteful as this is...hey, Jack we should tell them regards to hiding Bin Laden , " I was born at night, but not last night"!!!..Carry On.

May 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm |

James Bragg

We were obviously duped by Pakistan and they should pay for their transgressions, but, not at the expense of losing them as allies in this war on terror. They took a big hit in world opinion and we should support their stance on this incident (everyone knows they dropped the ball on this). We should start to curtail our financial support however.

May 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm |

Adam J.

It makes you wonder. Perhaps it is time to make India our new best friend in the region.

Adam J.
Phoenix, AZ

May 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm |

Bill Sharp

Pakistan is of huge strategic importance and they have nukes. We need to put the screws to them – IN PRIVATE. We need to calm the waters in public.

Bill

May 4, 2011 at 5:50 pm |

Brian Deppa

Cutting aid money to Pakistan would make us feel good in the short term – if they are incompetent or complicit, they don't deserve our help. However, the uncomfortable truth is, the state would go from very bad to much, much worse without our aid. We will continue to help the government, even though it is infected with people who are against us, and they will continue to look the other way while the U.S. does what they are unable or unwilling to do.

Withdraw all aid and declare them a terrorist nation. Take out their nuclear weapons with surgical airstrikes.

May 4, 2011 at 5:50 pm |

frank

Well Jack, easy answer. Get their nukes and say goodbye. Pay 20 billion dollars, a bargain, to any leaders!?? that leave the country. Of course after goods are delivered.

May 4, 2011 at 5:50 pm |

Ken Robertson

Humanitarian aid only. Their military and government don't deserve a penny. I have 3000 reasons why. Ken Robertson Huntingdon Pa 16652

May 4, 2011 at 5:51 pm |

Rajesh

Pakistan should be declared Terrorist state.

Pakistan should be punished .

This is pakistan who did 9/11 using Alqaida osama bin laden.
I will not be surprised if China is also involved in this.

This 9/11 Attack was carried to bring down USA Economically so that Country like China can become super power.

May 4, 2011 at 5:52 pm |

Sachin

Pakistan is a rouge country and viewed as a pest by its neighbors (India & also Afghanistan).
But the US should continue to engage Pakistan, else it will allow China and Iran to (mis)guide and use Pakistan against the strategic interest of the USA

May 4, 2011 at 5:52 pm |

Sid J

Pakistan is a dangerous ally.

Note that, as opposed ot the Afghan border, Bin Laden was living quite close to the area of Pakistan-controller Kashmir, where India has repeatedly alleged Pakistan is allowing terrorists to infiltrate.

It goes to show that parts of the the Pakistani regime, particularly their intelligence agency (ISI), is connected to these terrorist groups, some of which participated in the Mumbai attacks.

Given the fiscal problems at home, the U.S. administration should at the least hold Pakistan accountable for the monies given and should be allowed to audit the expenditures on a periodic basis.

May 4, 2011 at 5:53 pm |

Leticia C.

make them pay us back...we could definitely use the money...giving them aid was like giving a kid money to go to Mcdonalds for you and the kid comes back with no money and tells you they were out of burgers with a grin on thier face and saying I need more money to find your burgers!!

May 4, 2011 at 5:54 pm |

Kermit

Pull all funding for anything from Pakistan. Their obvious argument will be "but if you leave us nothing, then we will be helpless to stop terrorist from operating from Pakistan". Obviously they already were, so no change there. Also, when the terrorists do decide to group in Pakistan, it will make them easier to find.

Its what hunters call a Turkey shoot.

May 4, 2011 at 5:54 pm |

jay

America needs to appreciate the selfishness of a rogue terrorist state like Pakistan and stop trusting them to do the right thing for the war on terror when in reality they are harbingers of terrorism for nearly half a century.

May 4, 2011 at 5:54 pm |

Himanshu Tripathi

. Stop all aid
. declare pakistan a terrorist state
. ask for all terrroist camps and international criminals to be handed over to International court of Justice or the countries were they commited crime.

A bit of history for you, Pakistan was created by blood bath in the name of Islam, today more peaceful muslims live in India than in Pakistan.
If Pakistan leaves the path of Jihad and terrorism ,it will be difficult for it to exist or be different from India. You can read stories about Jinnah and Direct Action day. so bottom line is dont give whiskey to an alcoholic. Ask Pak govt, ISI and military to take the steps above and then review the situation in one year to come back to International community.

May 4, 2011 at 5:54 pm |

Dave

Shut of the foreign aid. What are they gonna do about it? Stop sending convenience store mamagers here over here? Seriously if they can't see this going on in the OPEN as it apprently was what kind of security team do they have anyway???? Rumblin bumblin and stumblin... that is what kind of security apparatus they have. Eather they have the RBS style team or they were party to keeping UBL alive and apparenlly living pretty well.

May 4, 2011 at 5:55 pm |

jim p.

Our $7.5 billion in foreign aid money congress voted over a year ago should be turned into "bounty money"

Lets incentivize this.

Say $1 billion for al Zawahiri

How about $200 million for Saif Saif al-Din al-Ansari al-Adel

You get the idea ...

jim

May 4, 2011 at 5:55 pm |

Rhishi (Chicago, IL)

Own up to its mistake of providing aid to a terrorist state. Pakistan is biting the hand which is feeding it. Stop the aid, impose sanctions to stop them from exporting terrorism to Kashmir and other parts of the world.

May 4, 2011 at 5:55 pm |

Patty D.

Dear Jack, We are caught between a rock and a hard place. We give Pakistan BILLIONS, and what do they do? Allow bin Laden to 'Retire' in luxury for 6 years! I don't believe for a minute that the military didn't know where bin Laden was. I feel that we should suspend all money and diplomatic ties with Pakistan. They played us like chumps and were laughing all the way to the bank.

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

Maryann

It is hard to believe that Pakistan did not know about Osama. We should cut the funds that they get immediately.

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

sg

Pakistan has been playing a double game right from the begining. It would help capture some low level terrorist and come to US drumming its chest and get few millions for there work. What happened in Mumbai shows at how they harbor terrosits in their country. US foreign policy about Pakistan needs to be critically looked at and we need to find out who our actual friends are?

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

Brad gertz

I Think we should give them a short deadline to turn over any further intel on suspected al queda elements living in or around pakistan or the money train stops right away. They will also be listed as a state sponsor of terrorism and considered an enemy. We will no longer respect their borders at all. Thats where i would begin.

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

Casey

Cut off all aid, monitor their nuclear weapons and if they step out of line one more time it's time for a change. We go in and physically disable them as a nuclear power. We can do that, if we can fly into their country wage a war next to thier "west piont" and get out. We can dis-arm them. How'd they feel about that with India next door.

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

Burbank from CA

The answer to that isn't rocket science. We should cut off all the taxpayer funded aid to Pakistan and all other foreign countries until we balance our own budget. We are drowning in debt from being so generous, especially to countries and people that don't deserve it.

It's not now, or ever has been, our job to fix other people's mistakes. They won't learn anything that way and will simply stay needy, always asking for more and more handouts. If we stopped being such idiotic martyrs, a lot of our problems would dissolve.

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

Jeff

We should pull all funding from Pakistan.
Some allies we picked for the war on terror.

Like a Pakistani expert has noted, the goals of the US do not refect the goals of Pakistan. So we need to pull out.

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

James Vilarreal

Come on is right! We were, in effect, paying them to be quiet!

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm |

Ron from Boston

Let remember that Afghanistan is a land lock country and we need passage over Pakistan to gain access, the other alternatives is over Iran which is not possible and the other country is too expensive. Let not jump to end the aid to Pakistan that would be like cutting off our nose to spite our face.

May 4, 2011 at 5:58 pm |

Nancy, Tennessee

Pakistan would make a terrible disgruntled employee. We have to keep paying them for work done or not done. To have them halfway on our side is better than them being 100% on the side of the enemy. If we continue to pay them billions, we can at least hold taking it away over their heads for some selective cooperation.

May 4, 2011 at 5:58 pm |

John Krutki

Yes, I believe the pakistanis knew where Bin Laden was. $20 billion dollars in aid over 8 years? It's obvious that the pakistanis were milking us for this money for which their corrupt government never used it towards it's purpose, fighting terrorism. I bet a chunk of that money went towards building the complex he was hiding in. it's time to stop pandering to these countries by handing out money.

In my opinion, the mission was to get Bin Laden, which we did. God bless our troops for a job well done. But, it's time to bring the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Stop pumping money into these countries and take care of business at home. Strengthen our borders. Get the economy back on track.

May 4, 2011 at 5:58 pm |

Nick

A one time $25M reward or $2B a year? It makes it pretty difficult to justify selling off the goose that lays the golden eggs doesn't it? I appreciate both arguements regarding what we should do going forward but I don't think we should make that decision until we've analyzed all the data we collected during the raid. I cannot help but believe that information will shed a brighter light on the answers we're looking for if we're serious about making a sound and informed policy decision moving forward.

May 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm |

nick lenerville

its time we cut off all funding to them and ask for that money back. We need to show the world you wont stay our allie if you hide a known terrorist. Eugene or

May 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm |

Javier in NJ

Stop sending them money. Till they give up the rest of the ones hiding there. The compound should be cleared and leveled to the ground Concrete poured the words, "this is where he was killed" etched inthe concrete in RED.

May 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm |

michael hughes

We halt all financial aid – over run the government – seize and remove all the nuclear weapons – then we leave this whole region to disolve itself

May 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm |

wanda

there is no way he was hidding with no help from the government. I would like an extense investigation asap. wanda from portland,or

May 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm |

frank

You know 20 billions dollars is a lot of money, and so what bothers me about this whole controversy is that why our goverment will solicit so much money to a country known to be the harbor of terrosims. I am so glad that we did the smart thing this time and did not share this well executed plan with Pakistan security agent it would have most certainly compromise our mission. Man 20 bigones would had done some good here at home. Now a big concern to me now is the Saudis. Can we stop them from funneling money to this terrorist organizations or we are too influenced with their oil?

May 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm |

Alan

Does it matter what we say or dont say?

Governments to what is profitable for them regardless of who it is

Instead of wasting time on Osama Bin Gotten lets spend time on the real issue....why is the price of gas approaching $4 a gallon?

May 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm |

max

Sever diplomatic ties. Refuse foreign Aid. Don't lift a finger to help them in any way shape or form.

May 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm |

jerry wartella

sure our nation gives them billions.maybe the reward was not enough for them to turn him in eh.do we really need them as a ally. heard that there are a lot of terroists living there any truth to this rumor. well let the poloticians figure this one out, as they sure cant fix the debt,so i guess they are not smart enough to do this eh.

May 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm |

Faree Hameed

If Ray Charles could figure it out, then what happened to CIA....why couldn't we figure it out....I thought that was the whole point of being in Pakistan....it was to gather intelligence....let's stop pointing fingers.....we definitely need to take a harder stance against Pakistani but please don't follow the same old mob thinking that our media always takes....be an original thinker and question all the sides.

May 4, 2011 at 6:01 pm |

Kevin

What should we do? We should carefully look into the facts this time before invading another country and getting ourselves into a mess. It seemed pretty obvious at the time that Saddam had WMDs because he lied and said he did to intimidate Iran. We invaded and look how that turned out.

May 4, 2011 at 6:01 pm |

lowi

We went ther to find osama bin laden, and now that we got him, I think we should just get the hell out of afghanistan. They are very corrupt anyway!

May 4, 2011 at 6:02 pm |

ashlee

we did what we had to do and we couldn't let this moment slip away from under us. OBL has been in hiding for 10 yrs and God knows what else he had planned for us next. Looks are deceiving he could have had connection in the US and attempted to plan another attack. BTW great decision not to release the photo's and vids because OBL is dead but his followers are not! You hear that america his followers are not. Its not all happy times right now. This is just the begining.
We should just be aware of our surroundings and get prepared should there be another disaster.

May 4, 2011 at 6:04 pm |

Mitch Dworkin - Dallas, Texas

That is a very good but tough question. Pakistan deserves to be alienated and defunded in my opinion but doing that would hurt relations with a nuclear power and the use of their airspace that we need. It looks like "we cannot live with Pakistan or without them" as the old saying goes. Personally, I would do the bare minimum that we absolutely had to do for Pakistan so we can get what we need and keep a nuclear power in check but absolutely nothing more.

May 4, 2011 at 6:05 pm |

Peter Bonafonte, Tarrytown, N.Y.

We should tell the leader's of Pakistan that if there is another attack on the U.S. that started from Pakistan, Islamabad will be leveled and the center of our attack will be their homes and headquarters.
Somebody knew he was there. Any retoric is an attempt at plausible deniability.

May 4, 2011 at 6:05 pm |

Alik

How about giving Pakistan $0 in foreign aid.
New York, NY

May 4, 2011 at 6:06 pm |

Joy from Canada

Money talks. Stop giving the foreign aid to fight terrorism. Pakistan will come around to cooperate.

May 4, 2011 at 6:06 pm |

Eric

I think we should stop working with Pakistan. They have been playing both sides of the fence for a decade; helping us on one side, while their military and the ISI help our enemies. The money could be better used elsewhere.

May 4, 2011 at 6:06 pm |

James

Jack. This development tests the intellect and ferocity of the Obama administration. Either we keep funneling billions of taxpayer dollars to the ISI and Pakistani Military who in turn keep harboring terrorists and supporting the Taliban who hurt coalition troops or we use this moment to destroy Pakistan's nuclear weapons, our main concern, and make sure it never holds the world hostage ever again.

May 4, 2011 at 6:07 pm |

Martin

Five hundred years ago, Tusser wrote that "a fool and his money are soon parted". In our current scenario with Pakistan, the Federal government is playing the part of the fool, and it's the taxpayer's money that they are parting with.

May 4, 2011 at 6:08 pm |

valerie lee

We have been cheated for 8 years. The tax payer's $20 billion was given to the corrupted Pakistan officials and terrorists. Pakistan gorvernment wanted Bin Laden alive because he was the password for the American ATM machine. Wake up, American!
No any cent for them! If they threaten us "Pakistan will be controlled by terrorists if you do not support us" let it be! We are not the first one to suffer!

May 4, 2011 at 6:08 pm |

salik

Abandon Pakistan – cut aid and create more Osamas in next 20 years. Poverty, lack of economic opportunity, and education will make it a breeding ground for terrorists like osama and his buddies after the end of Afghan -Soviet war in 80s.

May 4, 2011 at 6:08 pm |

D M How

Cut off the funding. This is the country that brought us Abdul Qadeer Khan who provided nuclear capabilities to North Korea and who also offered the technology to Iraq (pre-invasion). He has been freed by the Pakistani courts since 2009.
Has any other country done more to destabilize the world?
Why are we funding this.

It is time to re-evaluate all of our relationships.

May 4, 2011 at 6:08 pm |

Deesha

Continue (or start if not already doing) with Drone surveillance and continue to rat the terrorists out. Pakistan signed up for countering terrorism and terrorists and not just Bin Laden. As many have reiterated, this is just a battle (big one) won, but the war against terrorism is on.

May 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm |

Kitty Cat

Nothing, this country has done enough lieing. Yes, I thought we are suppose to be a fair nation? To hear that he did not have a gun, in front of his wife and children, he was exucuted. I think he was sick and did not put up a fight. It was the military that was doing all the shooting. Why can't the speakers get the truth out, they are changing with each question. Hey it's not that this government has lied before, blamming the bad guy. I mean we sound like Romans and what is with the code name Geromino? So I guess we are going after the next African nation.

May 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm |

Jerry Pott

Nothing. And by that I mean, cease any and all verbal, electronic and hard copy communications with the Pakistani government and military. Turn our collective backs to them. Let them sweat it out until they break down and admit what they knew and when. Then decide on the appropriate political response from there.

May 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm |

Zeeshan Qadri

we have two choices:We can pull out of afghanistan and than cut aid to Pakistan just like we did in the 90s and let the Taliban take over. OR we can continue our commitment to fight terrorism and aid Pakistan in this war. Whether the Pakistan govt knew of Osama's hideout or not, i dont know. What i do know is that if we walk away from the region like we did last time, we will be create 10 bin Ladens which we will have to deal with in the future. Most Pakistanis are peace loving muslims, and we need to help them combat this violence since they have suffered even more than us. Trust me i know, i am a Pakistani American

Zeeshan Qadri
East Brunswick NJ

May 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm |

Mercker

Well for starters, stop giving them tax payers money! Get our nukes back and cut all ties with them. They along with most of the arab world have been playing us for sometime now. It must be human nature that we think we can change the way people think. We give them money and support and they seem greatful; until we turn our backs. They don't like us and they never will; but thats life.

May 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm |

Todd Nebraska

Nothing!!! Why do you think we are so hated? It's because we think we have the right to impose our will all over the world. Until that stops, prepare to be terrorized.

We have armies of young men dying on the streets of this country every day, and we need to do something about Pakistan? We have real problems here, no-one seems to care, let's blow up some brown people. What a country of idiots.

May 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm |

Jyothi, St.Louis,MO

US should admit to the rest of the world that they helped a bad guy to be armed at the cost of their own people's lives.

May 4, 2011 at 6:10 pm |

D Josh

Don't cut off all relations too quickly, talk to them, keep them in check and make sure their govt. doesn't get toppled by local terrorist organizations BUT never trust them.

May 4, 2011 at 6:10 pm |

Jerrod Gardner

Everyone probably would say wipe them off the map. Me personally, I would cut off all foreign aid, repayment of the 20 billion plus, and another military occupied facilty in the regions of our choose. While we are at it, hit the Kuwaiti government with the same sanctions, and oil for free, just so we can lower the price of fuel her, because we can.

May 4, 2011 at 6:11 pm |

Tom

I know, for some reason, "real estate appraisers" have provided a $1 million dollar estimated value on the former bin Laden property. However, based on what I've seen, if that place is worth $1 million, than property in Abbottabad is pricier than beachfront in San Diego. For some reason, the property is also frequently listed as eight times the size of other surrounding properties. Google Maps doesn't appear to confirm that.

May 4, 2011 at 6:11 pm |

Edward

What should America do? America should treat the country accordingly. Treat the country as if it has been hiding Bin Laden for years, because that is the truth. When you enter the hotel room and find a 55 year old man, alone with a naked 12 year old boy, do you believe him when he says, "I had no idea he was hinding here?"
Montreal, Canada

May 4, 2011 at 6:13 pm |

Nadeem

I am a Pakistani, but I should say that this is not the fault of the people of Pakistan or Govt. of Pakistan this is our Armed forces who are supporting these EVILS. There is a big faction in ISI who supports Taliban’s. I would totally support US if they punish these Culprits like Rt.Gen. Hameed Gul, and overhaul our Army specially ISI.

May 4, 2011 at 6:14 pm |

Richard from Cedar City Utah

I think we should give them the benefit of the dought and see what they offer. I was in the military for 20 years. I have lived outside of major military bases. There are many types of buildings that are concealed from public view. I look around and someone could move down the street from me in the cover of darkness and if they never came outside, I would never know that they were there. Isn't there people in your neighborhood that you know nothing about? Isn't there private people that live around us? Look at our movie stars and other rich people that seek privacy. We can not strain the relationship we have the the Arrab countries. I am glad that he is dead and I think that there are a lot of people in Pakistan that are also.

May 4, 2011 at 6:14 pm |

Ralph Nelson

It's obvious they were hiding him so he did not represent a threat to them, while at the same time they were blackmailing us for billions to catch him. They played President George W. Bush for a sucker. This is a country with 140 million people, a failed democracy, one run by the military. Do we really want them as an enemy? We have 140,000 troops across the border and must have access to their ports and highways to get supplies to our troops. The best thing is to just try to "manage" it and not blow a gasket. Trust and verify.

May 4, 2011 at 6:15 pm |

HURRICANEPAUL from Hawaii

Jack, it's clearly obvious that President Musharraf knew full well of Osama bin Ladens whereabouts.

President Musharraf has egg all over his face. He's done. He's toast.

I give him two more weeks tops.

May 4, 2011 at 6:15 pm |

Dushyant

To begin with stop giving asylum to the Pakistani leaders like Musharraf who go into exile after being thrown out of power. May be next time they will think hard if siding with the terrorist is worth it.

Thirdly, support civilian leadership over military leadership since the geo-politics and terrorism policy seems to emanate more from the military and ISI.

May 4, 2011 at 6:16 pm |

Sohail Bari

You can't blame Pakistan, anyone would do the same who is in dire need of $$$$$$$$

Osama was Golden Hen for Pakistan, no it is gone.

May 4, 2011 at 6:18 pm |

michael10sley

We need to pull out of iraq, and afghanistan _and pakistan as they are duplicitous, petty countries. If pakistan poses a nuclear threat, the US should impose a pre-emptive strike against those potential capabilities.
Bring all the troops back home and post them along the US-Mexican border to fight the _real threat to America.

Of course some of the Pakistani government knew he was there and protected him..we've been telling the Pakistani government that Osama is in there country for years now and they just say they have no evidence of that...well theres your proof..I understand the Pakistani has given the U.S. limited help in this war on terror but it seems like were putting in to much and getting very little out of it..

May 4, 2011 at 6:19 pm |

Gulbagh

US should not stop aid to Pakistan but all monies spent should be vouched very carefully. Any deversation of money to Military be deleted from the aid.

May 4, 2011 at 6:19 pm |

Patrick

What should the US do about Pakistan? Take all the billions of dollars we've been giving them, and give it to India instead. That should keep Pakistan well behaved.

May 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm |

Deb

They knew bin Laden was there, no doubt about, instead of being honest with us about his location they lied to continue to receive our "aid" Stop all money to them until such time as they turn over all nuclear weapons to us and then tell them the "check is in the mail"

May 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm |

Erika Sanchez

We cannot end terrorism diplomatically when it comes to Pakistan. Stop imports and end trade agreements with Pakistan which benefit the its army run businesses not us or Pakistanis, stop sending Pakistan army weapons and equipment used against us, declare Pakistan or its Army/ISI/MI sponsors of terrorism at a minimum, stop hiding and expose Pakistan's human rights violations, support oppressed Balochs, Pashtuns, and other minorities demand for their rights peacefully (support the people not the military establishment of Pakistan)...If we are waiting for Pakistan to end terrorism to end, it will never end as long its establishment continues to blackmail and milk us while we fall for their engineered terrorism. The day Pakistan ends terrorism is the day when Pakistanis, Afghans, Indians, Americans, Europeans and the rest of the world can be a little safer.

May 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm |

sean

We need Pakistan, weather it is for permission to fly in the airspace or to have bases or even use airports. In some regard we NEED Pakistan! Just keep in the back of your brain this incident and know ther are shady.

May 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm |

Bri

Clearly Pakistan knew that bin Laden was there so I think that they should pay us back the 20 billion dollars we gave them to counter terrorism.

May 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm |

Zack

Keep up foreign aid, and quietly bulk up our covert military presence. Publicly, we make sure that everyone in that part of the world sees Pakistan as an American Ally- make it hard for them to hedge their bets by supporting both sides. Behind the scenes, we assassinate prominent reactionary figures- radical clerics, overly conservative judges, unreliable members of the secret police, army, etc. Its a proven tactic and the local terrorists have been using for years.

Zack
Woodbridge, VA

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Scott Engle

$20 Billion in 8 years and the Pakistanis couldn't find bin Laden? I say send the Pakistanis packing.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

wat wot

Since they got nukes this make the question a sticky one. If they didn't have nukes it would be easy...stop sending money.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Justin

I think we should help them out a little and train Pakistani soldiers and give support i would say and keep an eye on them also.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

luke

It is never a good idea to buy "friends". We should cut the cord to this nation and similar nations. It doesn't make sense to support these countries–heck, we don't even support our own people. This is just plain silly no matter how you try to justify it.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Jay Williams

Cut all financial aid off! They are persona non grata. $20 billion would have gone a long way to help our own financial mess!

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Susan from Idaho

Demand our money back. And hire their children they smarter than the bureaucracy.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Meenal

American-Pakistani Relationship is like a Bad Marriage
A woman (Pakistan) marries a Rich Man (America) for money and continues to have extra marital affair with her ex-lover (Al Qaeda).
Now the question is “ What to do with his UNFAITHFUL WIFE”.
Pakistan was Hiding bin Laden in their own backyard, and the ambassador is busy convincing the Americans that they have always been on American side fighting against bin Laden, helping them catch bunch of few terrorists .
President Obama please think twice before you sign the next 10 billion dollar check to Pakistan. The so called money being used to fight TERRORISM in Pakistan so they wont attack US.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

steve ramella

end the financial aid to pakistan immediately and use it to patrol their skies with loaded predator drones..there is NO reason to believe they are our ally..

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Adnan From Connecticut

Nothing, we already have enough wars to fight

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Jas

There should be an investigation done on why didnt they suspect anything or did they have prior knowledge

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Zane Palatine, IL

We can't really do much right now because we don't have the evidence to charge Pakistan. I don't think it would be politically smart for Obama to send troops in Pakistan to police the world. Right now, we gained a great victory in shooting Bin Laden but we need to take a defensive plan now, not offensive.

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

John Edmond, Marietta Ga

Get rid of Pakistan, we have better countries in our empire

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

Sue

The US needs to stop sending tax payer dollars to Pakistan which seems to use the money for aiding and abetting terrorism! This is a failed state – We should have attacked Pakistan and Afghanistan and not Iraq!

May 4, 2011 at 6:21 pm |

John Goodman

President Obama surely knows that some Pakistani officials knew of Bin Laden's presence, but their airspace is crucial for the US in the war on terror. It looks like we'll have to bite the bullet this time.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Richar in Cedar City, Utah

I think we need to look at everything realisticly. Bin Laden could have moved into a movie stars home or a home of someone very rich right here in the US. That wouldn't have meant that our government knew that he was here. We can not strain our relationship with the Arab world. I think that the President should say that the only reason he didn't tell the Pakistan government is the same reason he didn't tell congress, for secerity.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

rick leblanc

Jack,
Pakistan should be considered a terrorist haven after this incident.America should not become the target of conspiracy because it's people are considered ignorant and can be told anything but the truth when the people know only the lies they are allowed to hear.We should invade this country and do what we do best-clean up once the smoke settles.
Rick
South China,Maine

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Linda Moses

I bet it was American money that built the darn compound for OBL! I say try the country for war crimes.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Deborah, Sterling, VA

Keep our money to ourselves ... and FOR ourselves. I could suggest some projects here at home that could use $20 million – schools, roads, infrastructure, natural disaster relief, homeless vets, retraining for those out of work... hey... how about investing that money in alternative energy sources and quit giving ANY of our money to that area of the world ever again. Now there's a thought.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

alexander t walker

i feel we should investigate this cause we are dying for this ppl and suppling them with arms we are training them and makin them well trained fighting force all this to find this durt bag livin amungst them really this somthing we must look in to if not i fear all our hard work and training would be in vane we have done all we can with this ppl and now itd time for them to somthing for us answers would help they are not that stupid to not know a thing i feel if they cant give a strait forward answers we need to pack up and leav we finaly done what we went there to do its time to bring the brave men and weman back home where they belong we can support them from afar they can do it they knew from the start where he was you cant tell me all this years he was hiding they did not help they wanted the mony from us thats why they helped him cause the knew they were ganna get rich from its supportin ally

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Damien

It's pretty obvious that Pakistan has been playing both sides. It is time to address the elephant in the room. Not another cent in aid should be sent to Pakistan until a complete investigation is conducted into what they knew and when. They have been playing us for fools.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

DaveW

Jack,
we cannot build our inner cities, needy schools for our kids, help for our seniors, and maybe some money for those that honestly lost their homes here in the USA, but we continue to fund a country that has total disrespect for us....time to cut the ties once and for all....maybe3 even ask for payments with interest!!

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Corey Temple

Pakistan most likely has information about the number two and three leaders of Al Quida. To continue receiving money from the U.S, we should force them to turnover other top ranking terrorists. I bet we would have info leading to the locations of them in the next week or two.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

TB

I think we should cut off ALL aid/funding to the Middle East and get ALL of our troops out of there. They have all been laughing at us behind our backs. They use us and we know it.

We have major problems on our own homefront that need fixing. With all the money we give to these countries, we could help our own and start putting a dent into the enormous deficit we have.

It's time to do what's best for AMERICA!!

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Mike

Reduce their aid to 2 billion; that'll teach a lesson

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Carl

What kind of chumps does Pakistan think we are? Panetta is right, they are either incompetent or were involved. No more money for them, no more political relationship, no trust. Can't blame all the people, its their government. We'll help their civilians in a disaster, maybe...

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

John

Cut and run, let them figure things out themselves. Seems we have been paying way to much over the years for "questionable cooperation" from this backwards, corrupt nation. After 21 years of service, I learned early on to pay attention to my surroundings.......give me a break, they knew he was there.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Aneil

US has basically been frauded by pakistan. Bottom line. No matter what way you cut it. So America needs to demand pakistan to return 20BB dollars of our tax money.

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

shri

It is very obvious that Pakistan was NOT doing anything to capture Bin Laden, but rather Pakistani military and intelligence community was protecting him. Pakistan should be declared as a Terrorist state!

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

bilfish

Is sgt. shultz from pakistan I know nothing....

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

ronvan

Dear Jack: Simple, NO MONEY, NO NOTHING. They have played us for a fool and now it is time for them to stand alone. Nukes, baloney, we have alot more than they do!

May 4, 2011 at 6:22 pm |

Tim

Pakistan needs to pay us back for the money they have embezzled from us!

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Karl in Flint

The answer to that will lie in the data from the computers taken from bin Laden’s fortress. As obvious as it appears to most of us that he had informants in the Pakistani government, unless there is solid proof in those computers or elsewhere, we can’t prove it, in which case we just cut back on the finders fee to them since we have found our target and they didn’t. If there is proof of a conspiracy, then we should leave immediately and maintain only minimal diplomatic contacts. They were the enemy all along.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Ev Benros

My job pays me a salary for the purpose of seeing results. If I don't produce the desired results – I'm fired. So it should be with Pakistan.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

michelle

Jack, I don't think there's anything more US can do more for Pakistan. They should cut their funding totally and stop supporting them and get out of Pakistan.The whole country is unstable and the government is corrupt helping anymore would go to waste.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Jeremy D from Michigan

We should stop giving them our money. While it is hard to believe people in power in Pakistan did not know about Bin Laden living in their country, not everyone in Pakistan did know. There is such a thing as "hiding in plain site." We should try and work with Pakistan, but not view them as our friends.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Joshua P

Cut off all funds, how could Pakistan not know binladen is right on their doorsteps sleeping in a million dollar mansion?

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Pinki

It's obvious Pakistan knew what was going on. They always seem to deny their state harbors terrorists. When 26/11 happened in India, they denied the terrorists had Pakistani citizenship. When Bin Laden was caught, they deny knowing anything. Pakistan should stop harboring terrorists and focus on more important social issues such as education and poverty.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Troy Hawkins

Do you think this is the first country to take us for a ride? What about Iraq? We know some of the citizens lied to enhance Bush's lie. We need to start charging these countries for the use of our military and if they don't have the money they do have the oil. They want us to do their dirty work risk our soldiers lives spend our money and then they have the nerve to tell us to keep our hands off their resources. We need to stop giving away the free lunch

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Sujit Pandit

It is so simple that USA never understood. As far as Pakistan is concern, as long as they could keep Bin Laden hidden and alive they get money from USA regualrly. As soon as Bin Laden is dead money flow stops. Have you heard of Cash Cow? BIn Laden was Pakistan's cash cow

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Jan

Tell them we went our $20,000,000,000 back and that we will never assist or help them again. If they say that they knew nothing about it, that is ridiculous. A six year old could have figured it out. But I do think that the Americans are celebrating too much and that there will be repercussions!!

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Paul Voydanoff

Yes we should cut ties with Pakistan.
but lets look at what i think is a bigger issues.
We will not show Bin Laden,s pic,s but yet we will tel the world that we got computers ,dic's and found money in his shirts with numbers also. do u not think it would be more important not to tell what we found ,instead of saying we will not show the photos,?? or how much more did we find that we are not telling??

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Brian

Perhaps that $20 billion may have kept Pakistani nuclear weapons out of the hands of al Qaeda terrorists? Throwing money at Pakistan obviously hasn't helped keep al Qaeda out of the country, but we may have to settle for second place here. But the situation highlights the lunacy of government spending in a way nothing else does: We have untold billions to lavish upon our enemies, but must continue cutting spending on education until we have fifty children to a classroom and teachers working for minimum wage?

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Dian Bash

Say Goodbye, pull out, no more monies. If they want assistance from USA then how much are they willing to pay.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Chris Montgomery

The Bush Doctrine made it clear, you are either with us or against us. The Taliban hid UBL and we dealt with the Taliban for a regime change, we thought that Iraq was involved with Al Qada and did the same. We have made a 10 year history of saying you are with us or against us. So why should we treat Bin Laden any different?

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Nicki Petrella

Cut them loose. No more money. They were obviously double dipping. Money from the US and from bin Laden. With all the money we gave them, how can they be so impoverished? It did not seem to go to the people, it went to the government officials, they should have used a few bucks to buy glasses for themselves.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

Duke, sarasota

Follow the money trail, Jack. It would be a hoot if they found out that
the millions of dollars in aid sent to Pakistan was used to build the
government hideout. . . .Oops, I mean Bin Laden's "secret" mansion compound.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

John from Lake Charles, La.

President Obama surely knows that some Pakistani officials knew of Bin Laden's presence, but their airspace is crucial for the US in the war on terror and we know it. It looks like we'll have to bite the bullet this time.

May 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm |

JP Hardhitter

Nuke Pakistan with their own nukes. Allah will be happy.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Michael Audette

well I'm not quite sure what we should do about Pakistan but I'll say this.Maybe the money they get can be used to perhaps boost the economy here ,rebuild in the places that were destroyed from tornados, and selfishly thinking it could be used here in Providence,RI where there are schools being closed.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Brandon Ebneter

I think we should cut them off. They are obviously involved in the harboring of Bin Laden.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

M. Gonzales

I believe we should abandon Pakistan and instead use the money we would have spent in Pakistan on roads and poor villages in Afganistan. Then we should turn around and back India with Military aid and money and put the squeeze on Pakistan. Let them reap what they have sown.

M Gonzales,
Edgewood NM

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Bob in Houston

Jack,
We should kidnap the head of the Pakistani ISI and torture his family until he gives up other terrorists who have killed, or tried to kill, Americans. I think that is the only message people who live in that part if the world understand; it will stop when they fear us.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

eric stirewalt

who is runing this country.....bozo.......make an example out of pakistan.....turn the screws....no aid...nothing...zero....or make it GLASS......

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Georgina

Cut the1 or 1.3 Billion money that USA gives to Pakistan on a yearly basis. If Pakistan needs money let them get loans and add to there own deficit. Why should the USA be bailing them out. No one is Bailing or helping pay our Debt.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Chris

Cut off all funding.
Cut off all training.
Leave them to their savage ways.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Joseph Britto

It is clear that we are dealing with a schizophrenic Pakistan – with no one really in control. So the real question is how do you talk to the many heads of hydra some with more virulent breath than the others ?

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Barb P

The US should wait and watch them until they let their guard down. Eventually they will unknowingly reveal themselves. We might not win the immediate battle, but we will win the war.

May 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm |

Willie, Mississippi

Not a damn thing Jack. We've known the Pakistani's were on the fence and half dirty for years. Remember this: Keep your friends close and your friends closer. These guys have 100+ nukes. If we cut them off this could get ugly. Osama bin Laden was there. How many other radicals or al-Qeuda members were or still remain there? A fragile country or government system could fall into the wrong hands and then we'll really be up the creek. Its a complicated relationship but's a necessary evil.

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

Stan

Stand up and stop the aid immediately. The intel picked up by the heroic team that executed the mission will tell us who are our friends against terrorism.

Interesting that Pakistan won't let us interview the wife.

There shoud be many terrorists now trembling in their dirty boots wondering what may come in the dark of night now that we may have their names and locations.

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

Steve from California

We should treat them for what they are, terrorist enablers and enemies of the USA. They were harboring America's most wanted and dangerous fugitive. We've given them billions in aid, and for what, to be stabbed in the back for years? While our brave service men and women were dying hunting for Bin Laden, they were cashing checks paid by our tax dollars. What more proof do we need?

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

Hoyt

Simple question: The US has spent billions/trillions on our anti-terrorist infrastructure. We can defend ourselves on our turf now that the human intelligence gathering capabilities have been re-established by George W Bush. Cut off all aid to Pakistan. The Chinese can have them. We need to disengage now and stop wasting money on the Middle East nightmare.

Hoyt Connell
Kensington, MD

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

Jennifer

US needs to start getting "street smart" Pakistan has been milking US for a long time and who knows how many ISI agents and government officials got money that's pretty normal in that part of the world. Pakistan has terrorism engrained in their DNA with terrorist attacks to India & instead of all out wars US should pay off individual agents and go for individual targets. All out war is leading to further distruction and lack of education giving birth to even more terrorists this cycle needs to stop.

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

rich

Time to really flex some mussle!.....cease there Goverment take all assets! arms of course ,100! n. bombs?

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

lois mellott

Jack, they should pull out all US troops and bring them home!
What's the worry? India has the bomb, Iran has the bomb, Israel has the bomb in that neighborhood, let them alone! They have just proved they are liers.;

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

Sandi

Let their neighbors chose what to do with them. They (neighbors) would be the most concerned. The World will get them under control or out of control if they have been aiding and lodging OBL. Puke on what Pakistan want they obviously have been hiding him in their (answer to a George W) tree house.

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

Kelly Ferreira

Treat Pakistan as a harborer of terrorists. They let us down big-time and there has been no evidence that the people there are happy for us that our attacker has been destroyed.

May 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm |

mika

Don't support them period they knew where OBL and were hiding him. There story for not noticing him makes no sense. Cut off there funds there making Americans look like idiots.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Alan

Its pretty simple; they knew he was there & to say they didn't would be a lie. They took our monies that we could have used for our 'own' problems over here in the USA.

No more aid, both financially or military. Get out & say, "Good Luck!" Its time we take care of our own backyard.

Oil should be $8 a barrel based on all the money we gave these countries.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Paul Moschetta

With Pakistan having nuclear weapons, it would be difficult to disengage all communication, from the fear that these weapons fall into enemy combatant hands. With a potential aid package for Pakistan and equal cooperation as an allie in the fight on terror, the US Government needs definitive answers before contining all aid. If the Pakistani government does not meet the requirements set forth by this administration, regarding their knowledge of OBL's presence in their country, I don't suggest we cut complete aid, but we drastically reduce it. Throw them a bone, of sorts, in terms of aid, but withold the entire amount until/unless we are completely satisfied to our questions.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Jim

Economic sanctions is the answer. That shall teach them a lesson or two. I'll call the bluff on this, they will not dare stop any future raids in their territory.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

kimberly viverette

The fact that we gave $20 billion over the last eight years and they did not supply with any intel regarding this McMansion is suspicious to me. I believe we should cut of any funding and instead, "pay for performance" from them. The more good intel you give us, the more we will support you.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Michael Miller

I would love to see this be the turning point where the US stops throwing gobs of money around the world to win friends and influence people. In this case we're paying Pakistan who, as it turns out, is complicit with the enemy. It can be argued that this compound was command central for Al Qaeda.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Zeeshan

What Americans should do is to wait a bit and not start drawing conclusions based on tabloid journalism. First of all it is inconceivable that this kind of operation could have been launched without ISI involvement. Pakistan may have promised to stay quiet and let Americans take all the credit for many reasons:
So USA could justify spending 1.5 trillion dollars on the war against terror. Reason for 5000 brave soilders who dies fighting this war. And ofcourse for Obama to win next election. We must ask ourselves who caught all the alleged conspirators of 911. It wasnt CIA but ISI which with CIA help got everyone of them. Is there any harm if CIA actually managaed to get a single target with or without ISI help?

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

J-d'Amour

USA should ask Pakistan Govt to pay back most of the money they received. What have they used all this money for ? Intelligence cooperation should stop immediately since they don't seem to get anything done right.

Jean
Halifax

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Utsav S.

The international community should recognize that Pakistan has never been an ally on the war on terrorism. Since 1947, it has used state sponsored terrorism as an instrument of its foreign policy to bolster its standing in South Asia. We need to ask ourselves, how is it that Bin Laden remained secure in a compound that was one kilometer away from the Kakul Military Academy, an army institution for senior Pakistani military officers. It's not good enough that Bin Laden is dead, those who sheltered him ought to be brought to justice, including the ISI that has played dirty games with the West.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

mm

I think it's time that US question Pakistani officials. I mean we are talking about Osma bin Landen. The most wanted terrorist and master-mind behind 9/11. I am from India and I know that India has faced terrorism for many years and the main cause is pakistan. Pakistan harbors Terrorists and allows terrorists camps and activities to take place in its countrly. how pakistan is getting away with all this. it is so hard to digest. please US govenernt, do no listen to the common people of pakistan. question the goverment. Osama was not hiding in pakistan. Pakistan was providing him a shelter. its time to show the world that pakistan is another terrorist nation just like Iraq, afganistan.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Vic

Put them on 6 month probation, which requires them to come clean within 6 month, if they fail then stop all the financial support

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Suresh Kulkarni

Declare pakistan a terrorist state. The leaders exported nuclear bomb knowhow to North Korea, Libya etc. Every terrorist of importance has trained there. Every significant bombing in the world can be traced to Pakistan. They have yet to bring the Mumbai bombing perpetrators to justice. Osama hiding there "openly" near their West point is no fluke. I bet some heavy hitters in the govt. and ISI were ready to help him out if he was in danger. So glad we didn't ask or trust Pakistan for help on this.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

fred turner

Pull completly out and let them and let them morn BenLaben with all thier lying friends.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

john h.

We need to figure out how to turn their embarassement in to opportunity.
If they knew, they will never admit it so that leaves them looking like total incompetents.
This would be a good time to demand commtiment AND results from them in eradicating any remnants of Al Quaida in Pakistan on a tough timetable or lose our financial support. This may be turn out to be our best window of opportunity to demand more from them – they have something to prove to the world.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Benjamin Qualls

The United States should freeze all aid to Pakistan until someone from their government provides us with a somewhat reasonable explanation as to why no one quesitoned who was residing inside a fortress which was built in close proximity to some of the most important and recognizable areas of a city in Pakistan. I do not think the explanation will be truthful but I just want to see what they will say. I think they knew who was there and there claim of incompentency is bogus. Ben

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Susan davis

Cut off funding today. Make them plead the case to restart it. Fear of the Pakistanis using the nuclear bomb against us will not be considered as a reason. That will not happen unless they want to commit suicide. They do not deserve our money!

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Dane

We should expect that other countries will not tell all because at the end of the day they still have to deal with who's in their own backyard and Special Forces are not there 24/7 to protect them.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

chris

How many time must these countries bite the hand that feeds them. Simply, Stop Feeding Them! Use the funds to build America back up, not to the enemy who swears they didn't know Americas Most Wanted was hiding in their backyard.

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

john drakes

Hi,
Please read thru the history of paksitan or talk with INDIA and decide for youself. they haven't be trustworthy at all. they used our money the american tax payers money to provide shelter to our #1 enemy.

thanks
jd

May 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm |

Eric

Personally stop sending then any kind of aid financial or otherwise. Trust is a two way street, let them earn it back then maybe we will send aid, but it needs to be in the form of food and resources not arms and money that does little to benifit the Pakistan people. THe funds could be better applied to dealing with the issues at home, the home less and getting the undocumented aliens addressed. Either gethting through the process to become citizens and paying taxes and contributing rather than being a sponge on our over used welfare system or shipped out, maybe to Pakistan as they seem to let anyone live in their country.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

Cal (Maui)

There had to have been high ranking elements of the Pakistani Government officials who knew, lets face it they hate us over there but they love our money and as long as Bin Laden was still at large, the money would keep rolling in so it was to Pakistan's benefit to keep him hidden, the State Department is requesting for even more money for Pakistan and I am sure we will continue to fork it over, who's to say that Bin Laden himself wasn't paying off some people.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

jafri

when pakistan got you guys KSM and hundreds of senior alqieda members and foiled transatlantic attack plans, USA didnt give Pakistan credit but now no one is staying back criticizing them. Pakistan is basically used as escape goat by US to blame every thing that goes wrong either against taliban or alqaieda.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

Dave Heatherly

The U.S should continue protecting ourselves and keeping the possible enemy/ idiots as close as possible but secret missions such as this are clearly best suited for our far superior military

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

Deborah

The US should brush Pakistine off like lint on a cheap suit.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

Lea

Make them pay every penny they took from us, back to the American people. We need that money more than they do. Put it towards education.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

nathan mn

With Pakistan having nuclear weapons we walk a real tight rope with them. I don't belive that no one knew he was there and would'nt be suprised if he was being used as a pawn in the feud between them and India in case pakistan need asistance. Thats still how everything is done in that part of the world, with bribery. Pakistan better make some large good faith efforts to the U.S soon if they expect any more help because the American public won't tolerate it.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

charlotte Huelsemann

Stop giving them money to stop the war on terror ! they arent even remotely interested in stopping terrorist. If they were they would have given up bin Laden. Spend those Billions on US. We are broke and wasting money on something stupid. Millions a year in fact. Just because a country has a nuke doesnt mean we need to pay them. And by the way we need to get out of Afgainistan and Iraq. If those people havent fiquired it out in 8 yrs they arent trying. We have spent Trillions there what part of the us needs the money for ourself. If you cant take care of your own people you shouldnt be taking care of anyone else. GET OUT SAVE OUR SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

Cindy

We should stop giving them money. So, are we borrowing billions from China to pass along to Pakistan? Let them borrow their own money. They are not our allies. We have been duped and used and it is pathetic that our leaders see it otherwise. We literally canNOT afford allies of this calibre.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

Martin J.

Why have Pakistan as an ally, there is much evidence to prove that Pakistan has been working with militants to get back at India. Behind our backs they're trying to persuade other Arab countries to turn against us. Tell me Jack, what good are they doing. The ISI can't even detect the world's most wanted criminal who's 80 km from Islamabad and 1 km from Pakistan's best military academy.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

fishingal Oregon

It is time for America to call a spade a spade. As Bush said, "You're either with us or against us!'

We are fighting for our own survival financially and trying to democratize the World? Is it time to pull everything in, lick our wounds and seriously start rebuilding our infrastructure and taking better care of our vulnerable citizens ?

Bribing all these obsolete dictators that are laughing at us is galling to me. Pakistan and Afghanistan are both unreliable, crooked, two faced so called partners of ours. Time to dump them both. If they want to honeymoon with China let them.

They may get a real wake up call then?

PS: Kill Gadhaffi to or get out!

Enough is enough!

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

patricia

They are obviously in the same category as Iran , hostile and can't be trusted. Treat them like the enemy they are.

May 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm |

moises

somebody was protecting him. They knew that osama was there!!! c'mon. pakistan is playing both sides!!!!!!!

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

RK Houston

Its not like the militants are only hiding in the vaziristan area. But most of the outfits are currently active and enjoying in the NE part of pakistan where they have a lot of training camps. There can be some external help which pakistan will be getting from their Asian friends as well.

We should first have them stop the multi billion money and should interrogate ISI as the ISI has control over military and the government.
The government is a lion without any teeth..

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Tom H

Firstly, cut off all financial aid to the Pakistani government. Take these funds and apply them to investigating who could be involved in Osama's assistance. I imagine those responsible might try to exit the country. Make an example of these traitors as was Osama Bin Laden.

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Yogesh

Pakistan should be held accountable for playing a double game. They have to provide more discloser on how the US dollars have been utilized. U.S needs to take care of their own economy and the souring deficit rather than pay to run the economies of other countries. How can a country with so much military influence in everything can have Osama living right under their nose especially by a military air base. There are questions that Pakistan has to answer...

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

scott

Eliminate Pak's nukes. Rest will fall in place. Diplomacy will never work.. atleast for next few generations.

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Syed

I think if pakistan wanted to give Osama protection they would not keep him in the area surrounded by many people in the nice neighbouhood where anyone could potentialy see him and claim 25million Dollars. Having tall walls are very common in pakistan. In my neighbouthood in pakistan many houses have tall walls (Just for personal security) and burning garbage is common thing in pakistan too. I think Pakistan is very sincere in the fight against terrorism and have sacrified 50K innocent people. Due to this fight our whole economy is down, so 1 billion a year is very small of what we could have been making today For example India who is not involved in war is making 1billions in revenew just providing Technical Support to Dell, Microsoft, MAC, HP and many Middle eastern companies. Please keep in mind that Pakistan got involved in War (since 2001) when it was key time to make Pakistan great in IT.

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Reginald Holly

Jack: We should cut off the funds if we don't get our questions answered with real answers and facts about that Wyzristan mansion. There is an old quote: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I would say that if we don't get truths out of this, then Pakistan has definitely made it to the latter of the statement.

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Joseph

While the politics of dancing sounds like a great idea, we should use this rare opportunity to focus on our very own nation, not some third world country we've "lent' money to.

If America grabs onto the coat tails of Bin Laden's death, we will have failed as the superpower in the eyes of the world. We should stop focusing on a self consuming media craze, and start to repair the nation that Bin Laden left in shambles almost 10 years ago.

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

AShok

We should stop being Ignorant and innocent, stop the aid for pakisthan they will automatically stop creating militants and terror camps

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Amy

I'm sure plenty of them knew where to find him at. We should quit giving pakastan our hard earned tax dollars. We may have been giving them our money so they could hide him out.

May 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |

Samantha

Cut the funding Jack. If they, Pakistan, wants relations with us then they need to first earn our trust then our money. I do not accept that Pakistan did not know. Pakistan playing both side of the fence is over.
As we face tremendous debt, unemployment and spending cuts here at home we discover that Bin Laden spent years hiding in a country who openly received billions from us under the pretense of being our allies. They have taken our money and laughed in our faces all the while endangering millions of people. How many lives were lost over the six years they hid him? American lives, Afghan lives and even Pakistani lives? How many billion did it cost our children for the financial expense of those added years? There are consequences and they should pay them. Lord knows we have paid a high enough price for their greed.

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

Rob

NO MORE AMERICAN TAX MONEY TO PAKISTAN. I think India might be able to help us rid Pakistan of Al-Queda better than the Pakistanis. India might actually like that role, and have proven to be better allies over the years than Pakistan. A messy, solution, but would be VERY effective. Oh... and we could disarm Pakistan of their nukes, too.

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

drew

Pakistan has been a sanctuary for terrorism since the word go. We tell them their land is a warzone and we go where we have to. Keep up the funding and aid; as the old saying goes "Keep your friends closer and yuor enemies closer." -Drew from Cazadero

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

Joe, Alberta, Canada

Nothing! Bin Laden's dead, so does it really matter anymore? Why create another country that hates America and the west?

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

bryan m

I think we should cut off aid. Realizing some may be necessary for diplomatic purposes. Definately not any where near the amounts they have been given.

In Pakistan's defense, I think they have been stuck between a rock and a hard place (between us and the citizens of the Middle East).

I believe they knew about bin Laden for quite a while. We should be glad they didn't give nuclear weapons. Assuming they haven't.

Bryan M. Ellensburg Wa.

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

youngndumb

hiding in plainsight recognisable photo hmmm sounds like he made no attempt at disguising himself to live there i say we must make it clear somehow to show this will not be tolerated i trust obama to make the right decision.

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

Ken Larson

Perhaps Pakistan should –pay the US– for protection from these alledged threats to their security. Clearly they neither have the sense of urgency, nor the talent to fix the cancer in their own country.

I have read that the Pakistanis see the Talaban as a fallback source of troops for what they perceive as their real threat...India! that is the case, we are shooting our own interests in the foot by supplying these jackels with the red meat they crave. Cut 'em off.

if we must pay them anything, consider it a bribe to look the other way while our troops clean up the Talaban threats.

May 4, 2011 at 6:29 pm |

terry

the usa was paying pakistans goverment to help us with the war on terror.......bin laden was paying the ISI.... i believe the pakistani government knew where he was to get more money from us.... they were getting money from both sides......hmmmm

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Robin

Pakistan has been talking to Afganistan about support from China when the US finally goes home. And China does not attach conditions for aid. I say let the Chinese have them now at great savings to the US...bring our forces and aid home.

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Rose, Michigan

I find it difficult to believe that Pakistan knew nothing about this. Their reaction to the accusation that they are not being truthful proves it. Why would they be so angry if it weren't true. Logically, if they didn't have any involvemet, they would understand our position about being distrustful of them. Kick them to the curb – – – they are not trustworthy.

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

rich

it's plain to see.....! it's a no braiiner......they also better check under this place!

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Shailesh

Well we created this problem for years and they were smart to use US$ and keep growing their Nuke arsenal while Large amount of population remains under poverty. The only way to fix this is for US to declare war against Pakistan. When is United States going to realize that Pakistan is not with us.

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Jeff Whiteman

Jack, we all know that Pakistan has the Nukes. Now imagine the same folks living next to, and protecting bin laden being the ones with their ignorant little fingers on the button. For now, the fellas at the top know how to exercise restraint. Until we figure out a different way – we need to keep our friends close and our enemies much closer.

Jeff
Portsmouth, NH

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Proud_Indian

Wondering how come no one has mentioned multiple terror attacks done by Pakistan in India !
US should stop all the help which is being used to make terrorists since ages and Pak is using it to make terror attacks in India !!
Pakistan is terrorist making country and one should just google about multiple terror attacks on India ( since ages) including recent 26/11 was done by Pak and they will continue doing it if they get any sort of help from any country.
Now finally US has also experienced that feeding a snake is nothing but poisonous.. STOP feeding it on immediate basis !

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Bernie of Lowell, MA

That we kept the Operation Geronimo details from the Pakistanis clearly shows we don't trust them;. This secrecy isn't unique. Ever since we commenced the drone attacks they don't trust us either.

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

nadeem khan

The article speculate that everything was flagged about that house where he was living. I am not sure that is correct world most wanted man must have camouflaged him well enough to hide. US media some time time make him super smart and now trying prove a naive.
In last week three navy buses are blown in Pakistan. They have attacked across the board from security, public places and religious places. Why some one protect this guy? Pakistan supported Taliban to keep Indian influence away in Afghan; not sure that has anything to do religion. They are against Pakistan now.

I believe US intelligence and forces have big presence in Pak and have access to all like they are in a US state. It is possible that CIA located the guy before ISI did. It is CIA achievement but ISI have caught about 10-15 leaders.
As long as US aid money is concerned Pakistan economy got hit badly and combat expenditure have increased hugely – not sure how I can do the math to see where 18 Billion stands.

May 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm |

Tim

$20 billion to Pakistan the past 8 years, Plus $3 billion to Egypy for the Canal, plus whatever money we give to Jerusalem..
Is it me or there is a clear trend here to why this nation is going under financially. Its amazing even after so much spending our nation still has the means to operate.

May 4, 2011 at 6:31 pm |

vickyusa

Time to declare Pakistan a Terrorist State....No Brainer....Osama thought pakistan is the safest place on the earth for him to hide & he had his pigs in ISI to update him USA movements. No more Free Dollars for Porkistan. USA was too smart to NOT involve Pakistan in raid else they would have found Donkey instead of OBL

May 4, 2011 at 6:31 pm |

pete

We should cut off aid. If we need a ally in that part of the world
India has been begging us for years.Niether Pakistan or Afgahnistan want us there. Spend those billions of dollars in our country paying our soliders to protect our borders, our health and education, or invest in infrastructure so alternative energy can be use for. ..But hey I am just a working stiff outside of the beltway.

May 4, 2011 at 6:31 pm |

Eric Stauffer

We NEED to cut our ties with pakistan and do a full investigation on them. We the U.S have been financially aiding them for waay too long and I believe may have been unknowingly financing Al-Queda as well. Pakistan I believe secretly works hand in hand with Al-Queda. Of course they will pretend to be against Al-Queda to help prevent attacks on their country and to continue receiving support from ours. We have been supporting and providing for terrorists to attack us this whole time. All this time they are laughing at us as we are deceived by them. America would never allow such a group of terrorist to reside in the U.S for so long. It would not happen. But somehow Bin Laden did in Pakistan for 10yrs right down the street where we would not think to look. Where soldiers roam the streets and corners. basically there as security for OBL. Protecting him and financing him with our tax money which could have been used to benefit the american people this whole time.

May 4, 2011 at 6:31 pm |

gil

Bang for buck. What are we getting with all of this spending? If we are fools for giving money should we continue? No. What have you done for us lately? You want money? give us names and addresses.

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

Snub Pakistan the same way GWB has snubbed President Obama.

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

catherine

our country should cut the money to pakistan in half. obama loves muslims far too much. he doesnt care that americans want pictures. he only cares about the muslims feelings. i play bridge on an internationa site and the Turks are hostile about what has happened

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

Chris - Philadelphia, PA

Unless we are planning to occupy Pakistan – which I don't see happening anytime soon – the fact is we will continue to rely on the Pakistanis to provide information about known terrorists who may be living within their borders. It's not a perfect arrangement by anyone's standards, but it's the only one we've got short of installing an occupying force within a country that we consider an ally – and a nuclear-armed one at that.

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

dharmas

US should take pakistan to Task. Where are the US billions of dollars being spent? Not on the afghan border, the taliban are in pakistan, not on programs for youth because most poor kids are getting their education from Arab run madrassas.definitely not looking for bin laden .
surely we know
Sponsering 26/11 in india or paying indian kashmiris to "revolt" and sending proxy warriors to India to spread terror and ensure Kashmir remains ethnically cleansed of Hindus.
Zardari is the head of corrupt politicians in pakistan , Musharraf thrived off of fundamentalist support
WHAT IS US's agenda? If Pakistaani's don't want to progress no amount of US aid will help them The money is funneled to ISI for international terrorism. DOES US WANT TO FINANCE The PERPERATORS Of TERROR?

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

Tim

^^^ Sorry, Meant Israel, and nothing against supporting Israel but there should be assessment in all these handouts?

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

chuckdeindia

It was Musharaf's fault and it was US fault to trust Musharaf.

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

visu

Pakistan is a major threat to the region. US government is very well aware of the Pakistani nature. This operation is conducted in strict confidence with out informing Pakistan officials for a reason. US knows Pakistan's interest. But we don't have any other option, but get their little help to accomplish what we want.

Pakistan has to realize itself and change its attitude. No one can lecture or help them understand what they are doing is wrong. Search the India – Pakistan in google and you will find how much Pakistan was/is disturbing its neighbor India through these terrorist activities and supporting the illegal terrorists group.

Pakistan was a biggest mistake that was created due to colonial period British government that gave independence to India and Pakistan nations. India was formed based on secularism. But Pakistan was founded based on religion. No one should blindly follow religion. You should take good concepts and leave not anymore applicable concepts from religion. But muslim world don't accept the fact. Its never ending... Who knows Pakistan may become a reason for the end of this WORLD in the year 2011 as expected in Mayan calendar.

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

Lyz

U.S. should stop giving aid to pakistan. Pakistan in my opinion cannot be trusted and if they ever come to united states, they should undergo a serious screening about their intentions of why they are coming to united states. In short, u.s. should not trust pakistan in anyway..If they treat us unfairly, we should treat them the same way. DONT GIVE AID...

lyz
california

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

Naman Goyal

Pakistan has provided its land for planned terrorism against India for so many years...be it the Kargil war of 1999 or the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. They have backstabbed India sooo many times..

This time USA is getting a taste of what Pakistan always does. They are truly the centre of global terrorism today. USA with the strategic and military help of India launch a military offensive against Pakistan and set them straight once and for all.

May 4, 2011 at 6:32 pm |

Rick from Los Angeles

You forgot to mention that the SEAL team left behind Bin Laden's wife because one of the transports went down. The Pakistani Government is refusing our request to question her.

We should treat them as not state sponsor's of terror, but facilitators as they knowingly hid him in a well guarded area under the protection of their military even as he directed global terrorist actions. this puts them in the same league as the Taliban. In my book they declared war on us the moment they knew he was on their soil. They are truly our enemy

-Rick from Los Angeles

May 4, 2011 at 6:33 pm |

Kelly from MA

No we don't need them and it was a huge mistake to ever give them a nuclear weapon. How about we just let the Middle-East fend for its? I don't know when it became our problem and why my tax dollars have to contribute to all these corrupt, violent regimes. Inclusive is what I'd like from my government right now. Saudi's stopped production, Fatah and Hamas signed peace deal, Egypt opened Gaza border what more evidence do we need.

May 4, 2011 at 6:33 pm |

Bradley, Columbia SC

Preemptive attack to take out nuclear caches and military commanders, followed by INCREASED foreign aid, temporary no-fly zone, and UN Peacekeepers on the ground. Utilize India and UK for further humanitarian issues and get NATO on board. Enough is enough. These people have had their chance and clearly cannot be trusted.

May 4, 2011 at 6:33 pm |

mr. xx

I truly believe the pakistanis ,part of them did not know that bin ladin was there.Part of them knew, but they probably were paid for there silence.Look at our neighbor Mexico ,there are a lot of officials and police that are under the cartels control thru money.
What makes Pakistan different.there are corrupt police all over the world .Even in the U.S.A..I was stopped in Chicago for a traffic violation
and the officers thatr stopped me he-haw back and forth they finally told me If I gave them 100 dollars they would take care of the fine. I gave them 100 dollars and they let me go ,without a ticket.

May 4, 2011 at 6:33 pm |

Ken in NC

Just keep telling them "The Check Is In The Mail" until they realize the well is dry.

May 4, 2011 at 6:33 pm |

Peachez

I believe the US may have paid 12billion dollars to Pakistan as an incentive for information on the where abouts on Bin Laden however i believe the US will soon find out they may have been actually helping fund the Al Quida network instead. WE MAY ACTUALLY DISCOVER ON THAT COMPUTER DATA THEY RECOVERED THAT PAKISTAN IS AL QUIDA ALLIES AND WE HAVE DECEIVED!!!! I think Pakistan should be sanctioned by the US and made to pay back the 12 billion as a punishment for keeping quiet! Their military was involved too. There is no way there own military could not have known about this suspicious compound or suspicious activity there.

May 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm |

Steve Auld Kingman Arizona

I think we should get all our troops and our equipment and come home. Not just from Pakistan, but from everywhere, Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else our folks are deployed. We have to stop paying other countries to be our friend. Just think how save we would be if all those soldiers and resources were protecting the USA on our own soil. We could even "secure the border", in Southern Arizona., and have some stuff left over for the northern border.
Play nice, share your toys, and clean up after yourself. I learned that in kindergarten.

May 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm |

Charles Dallaire

Jack, What about real estate agents that handled property near the compound ? They should have suspected something about the compound with high walls and barbed wire and knew who's name was attached to the property obviously ficticious. Also what about police that covered that site ? Will Pakistani officials look into all this do you think ? If our investigators aren't satisfied with the answers we should stop further funding to Pakistan. CD

May 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm |

Rkorts

The Pakistani Govmnt is in a delicate bind. If they were to go after bin Laden ( & the other Al Qaida leaders probably also living in the country), there is a large segment of Islamic extremeists in that country who would be up in arms and raise a lot of difficulty. If they do nothing (the decision they seem to have made), the risk loosing financial support from the US and ailenating us & a number of "moderate" countries.

I believe it's obvious some in the government (probably at fairly high levels) knew he was living there. So we play the game of not telling them about the raid until it's over, they play the game of not letting us talk to the women in the bin Laden house that were left behind.

It's the way of politics.

May 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm |

Bob M

JACK: It appears that many are ‘walking on eggshells’ when they ruminate the (breaking news) fact that Bin Laden was NOT armed when he was killed. Jack, what weapons were the thousands of innocent men and women and CHILDREN armed with when their lives were horrifically stolen from THEM on September 11th ?

And I adamantly support to “Show the Pictures!” The entire world has been inundated with videos and pictures of the poor victims in their last minutes of 911. Bin Laden celebrated (for a decade) the releasing of his genocidal-like accomplishments on T.V., in newspapers, on the internet etc.

These pictures ARE going to be LEAKED sooner or later onto the web, so let’s get a start on the Jessie Ventura type conspiracy fanatics who undoubtedly will maintain Bin Laden is “Alive and Well” playing in a band with Jim Morrison, John Lennon and Elvis in a pub in Los Angeles.

Bob M (Ontario, CANADA)

May 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm |

MICHAEL WHITE

Well, one thing is for sure: Pakistan is probably upset inside because they just lost their gravy train. Looks like they won't be able to use Osama as a hedge against decreased foreign aid.

May 4, 2011 at 6:35 pm |

Michael

We should withdraw all military and economic aid immediately; Pakistan got caught red-handed harboring our greatest enemy and have been playing us for fools ever since 9/11. I think we should withdraw from Afghanistan as well especially when I hear interviews with the citizens of Kabul cursing us for killing Bin Laden and happily envisioning a future with the Taliban in charge. We should leave on a high note. Bin Laden is dead mission accomplished. We should make it very clear however that our Nuclear arsenal is MUCH larger than Pakistan’s and they better secure or dismantle it

May 4, 2011 at 6:35 pm |

Naman from INDIA

Pakistan has provided its land for planned terrorism against India for so many years...be it the Kargil war of 1999 or the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. They have backstabbed India sooo many times.. This time USA is getting a taste of what Pakistan always does.

They are truly the centre of global terrorism today. USA with the strategic and military help of India launch a military offensive against Pakistan and set them straight once and for all.

May 4, 2011 at 6:35 pm |

Ahmad Kamrudin

Being a Pakistani American, I have the following comments.
You said it is hard to acknowledge that Pakisnatis did'nt know that Osama was residing 750 yds away from Pakistani Military base in Abbottabad. I say it is possible, because they did'nt know that 4 American Helicopter came 750 yds from Military Base and stayed there for 40 minutes and left and they did'nt know. About giving money to Pakistan it will be good to stop it because most of it comes back to America in form of buying weapons and training. whatever 5 or 10 percent left is taken by the high level government officials. Local people never sees it. They still work hard and live their daily life and they will be just fine without American money. This will be a good step towards reducing deficiency for our kids and less borrowing from China.

May 4, 2011 at 6:36 pm |

Rosemary

Dump em! Kick em to the curb. We are now officially mission accomplished in the region. Pakistan and Afghanistan are now officially someone else's problem, namely Iran, India, Turkey and the former USSR whacky-stans up north. It isn't our job to nation build. It isn't our job to sort out all their regional messes. Let India, Iran and Pakistan wave their nukes at each other. If they make a big crater, we can dump that plastic bag island the size of Texas floating in the Pacific in the hole.

May 4, 2011 at 6:36 pm |

Mike

Its simple........... stop all financial support to Pakistan and start making friends with surrounding countries. The Pakistani Government and Intelligence obviously knew OBL was residing witihn the country. They decided to play dumb and milk the US for more dollars. If the Pakistan Intelligence did not know bin Laden was living in Pakistan, near an army camp, in a mansion with 18" walls and camera's around the house....then Miley Cyrus could be the head of their intelligence.

May 4, 2011 at 6:36 pm |

Richard L. Levine

Tell Pakistan we will not just pay. Supress terrorism and we will pay more. Let terrorism succeed and we will pay less or nothing. It would cost less and be more effective than the results we are getting now.

May 4, 2011 at 6:36 pm |

sky

Do not stop funding Pak. instead reward them by results. Million for information, 2 million if they kill a major terrorist and 50 million if they kill the no 1 or 2 member of a terrorist organization.

Pakistan like any other "tan" country in that region is a radical, politically fragile and a double gamer. Just ask India. 26/11 in India was also a Pakistani work and India has all the proof for it.

May 4, 2011 at 6:36 pm |

Sam Royappa

US should immediately, today, right now, suspend ALL funding to Pakistan and mandate them to return the $20 billion to US that would help US economy a lot. It's time to tell the world that US can not be taken for granted by anyone. Hold Pakistan accountable for their past and present lame excuses...

May 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm |

Dewold

I say show the Pakistan government the secret photos of Bin Laden
after a visit from the U.S. Navy Seals as an incentive to return the
money they suckered us out of under the pretense of helping "find"
Bin Laden. Someone should tell Pakistan that "hunting" and "harboring"
are two different words, Jack.

May 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm |

Tony

Jack,
The ISI knew, but, they would never tell the US nor upper Pakistani government official's because they would expose themselves as playing both ends against the middle. Why didn't anyone reveal OBL's location and collect the $25M reward? But remember Pakistan has 100 Nuke's and is the only route available to us to get fuel, supplies, and weapons to our troups in Afganistan! So, we must continue to deal with them for now!

Tony
Tacoma, WA

May 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm |

GSR

STOP FUNDING PAKISTAN.
Reasons:
1.US forces flew under the radar (at low altitudes) on the day they killed laden with a fear that he might be tipped off.
2. US did not disclose the location or even the target to anyone else
3. US did not seek any military help from Pakistan in hunting down laden.
then why the hell should US fund pakistan? We are actually funding pakistan to help them help the terrorists?

Hillary Clinton's comments were purely political in supporting Pakistan because almost all of the terrorists are still hiding in pakistan and US wants to ensure that they have a relation with Pakistan to hunt such people down.

May 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm |

doug

I think we should get the money back, that the u.s.a paid for a job to be done. The pakistani government should take responsiblity for the job failure. Liars should not ever be paid for what the united states of america is capable of!

May 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm |

Shane

The United States tries to buy it's friends with millions but hasn't learned that you can't buy their allegiance. I doubt Bin Laden had to pay them a penny.

May 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm |

Tracy

As much as I agree with your point, regarding all the indications that Pakistan very well may have known where Bin Laden was residing and the suspicions and statements of people in the area...I find it in very poor taste for you to refer namely to Ray Charles...for all the reasons. I'm apologizing to Ray Charles for you, which is due him.

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

Jeff In Minnesota

Come on Jack, get real. All sorts of criminal elements live out and around with the rest of us. While most of them are not the masterminds of terror like Bin Laden, they are criminals none the less. For 20+ years, Bernie Madoff was in the middle of New York. And as we have learned, for almost the last 10 years, there were people trying to get officials to investigate him. He may not have killed anyone, but he sure destroyed a lot of lives.

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

Elizabeth

The real clue is that neighborhood children, the children of military officers... saw suspicious behavior. Did the president of Pakistan know? It doesn't matter; the military knew, and the military has been the recipient of those billions in U.S. aid. My answer? Save the money, and give it to those in America who have had their lives devastated by natural disasters, from hurricane Katrina to these recent tornados. Why are we so quick to pay terrorists and so slow to help Americans?

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

mrs khan

U,S intellece is the best all over the world, By now U.S OFFICIAL really know that pakistani government has been harbouring all the worlds's most wanted terrorists. in todays time most of pakistani civillians are dying due to atctive active terrorists network. the money which they recieve from U.S. 50% of it goes to harbour these terrorist. if they don't do this they themselve will be killed. e.g benazir bhotto.

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

Ravi

What do they teach at the defence academy?
Terrorism course probably.
If the answer is yes, OBL was lecturing at the accedemy how to attack US,Europe,India etc

Send some one to the defence academy and monitor what they teach there.
Also Musaraf the former President of Parkistan knows every thing about OBL. OBL tried to kill him was a drama to show the world.

I would strongly recomend to arrest him and interogate. He is equaly dangerous as OBL.

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

Tom N. Virginia

.We should stop paying billions to Pakistan, period. But we also must work with them to end the corruption in their intelligence service, afterall, they are a nuclear nation and it would not be in our interest to totally alienate them. Diplomacy cannot be ignored. Corruption exists in every society including the US. Llet our diplomats do their jobs. We don't need any more enemies.

The real question of the day should be "why are we advertising to the world all the intelligence that the raid provided?" Surely, we could have pursued a lot more of the terrorists if it hadn't been put on television.

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

Ashok,OH

Guys OBL is gone...we should now be more concerned then ever..pakisthan's nuclear plants..how safe are they?

May 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

Brian

what to do about Pakistan
Since they have 100+ nukes, dispute thier border with India, and we want to keep flying drones in their airspace we should keep the 'appearance' of being friends but lets use the money we give them here in the USA becouse WE need it!

May 4, 2011 at 6:39 pm |

Brandon

We ought to make it known that we intend to label Pakistan as a terrorist state, and encourage its people to make their voices heard if they wish to live in a respectable country.

Brandon in Alaska

May 4, 2011 at 6:40 pm |

Dave, Orlando, FL

If Obama gives one more cent in aid to Pakistan (obviously an enemy as they were harboring and knowingly hiding the world’s number one villain) he should be impeached – that’s called aid and comfort to the enemy. I used to support him – no more.

May 4, 2011 at 6:40 pm |

Tom Zuhlke

With such obvious complicity of Pakistani official(s) and such necessity to maintain a working relationship to address common problems, $20 Billion is just a "reward" for playing both sides against the middle. Pakistan is not the only country doing this. Therefore, let us change how we give aid to foreign powers. Only goods made in the USA and only services rendered by US citizens will be given as aid: no money, no electronic transfers, no loans, no financial trade agreements, no payoffs or any other financial aid through non-USA sources or avenues. Perhaps this would also be applicable to foreign aid in general.

Just imagine a clean deal in foreign aid. Astounding!
Tom Berlin WI

May 4, 2011 at 6:41 pm |

Amit

Its not really hard to keep track of where the US aid is spent. If our country can track down one person halfway across the world, enter a foreign nation and take him down, I find it hard to believe that the United States cannot track how and where Pakistan spent the $20 billion in aid. If we figure out that they were using those funds to covertly aid the radical organizations their administration and military assets should be taken over. And with this country's track record, I'm quite sure we will find they were indeed abetting the radical organizations and playing the double agent quite well.

May 4, 2011 at 6:41 pm |

Noel Anthony Haughey

The fact that Bin Laden was right among the safe keeping of the Pakistan Military and we funded them Billions of tax dollars for years to combat terrorism and obviously failed us with a black eye over and over again, then it's time to defund Pakistan and challenge Pakistan's loyalty. Fool us once, fool us twice could cost Pakistan a price.

May 4, 2011 at 6:42 pm |

badcafe

I think the US could listen a bit more... Pakistan's neighbor, India, has been alleging for years that much of the money being sent to Pakistan to combat terrorism is being diverted to feed terrorist insurgents in Kashmir... no doubt to India's great chagrin. The terrorists feed off the same training camps... so the two groups are quite connected. Pakistan has always secretly supported terrorists, for decades (allegedly even training them through the military ISI), while openly denouncing them or feigning ignorance in each case. They feigned ignorance when the Pakistani terrorist Kasab, caught in the Mumbai massacre, implicated the ISI. They feigned ignorance when Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan's nuclear architect, was found proliferating nuclear secrets to Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea, using govt aircrafts and accompanied by govt co-workers. They are feigning ignorance now. I hope the US finally wakes up to this dangerous cat-and-mouse game they keep playing..

May 4, 2011 at 6:43 pm |

Julius Houston

Yo! Jack Cafferty,Im so happy that the fear of Asama Binladin is no longer in existence.I "started" living how I was living before the 911 Crisis,forgetting the trials and tribulations of the events that followed .I took heed of what President Obama said the night of the killing of Binladin.I think we need to bring our troops back home and save some money for this terrible economy.The Economy is the top terrorist in this country now.

May 4, 2011 at 6:43 pm |

Jim W

Jack , I spent 89 to 90 working in the NW frontier with Afgan refugees.
The ISI watched me like a hawk then , I doubt they have changed or gotten less diligent. At that time the ISI showed clear favoritism to the more radical militents and I don't believe that has ever changed either.
I would bet my last dollar that they have been helping Bin Laden all along, their government can deny it all they want I don't believe them one little bit. They have been laughing at the US for years, it's time we woke up and took away the money. They will be no threat to anyone without all those US dollars.

May 4, 2011 at 6:44 pm |

Ashwin

Pakistan is Dangerous country in the world, looking at the news it's crystal clear that Pakistan is hub of world terrorism..Pakistan is using US aid to sponcer terror attacks on it's neighboring India. In the interest of the word United States should stop sponsoring money tp Pakistan and use milatary force to clean all the terrorists in Pak.

May 4, 2011 at 6:44 pm |

Allen Corneliusen

Nothing, it's over, move on. We don't need to dicect and examine what they did or didn't do. Give the money we are spending to train their troops to the folks here at home that were devistated by the recent tornados so that they may rebuild

May 4, 2011 at 6:45 pm |

Linda in Arizona

Well, we can't just walk away, can we? Behind the scenes, we can remonstrate with the ISI, but I doubt it will do any good. You're wrong about the neighbors having to know. All they knew was that some rich foreigner lived in the compound, in which case, the locals would most likely have respected their privacy and left them alone. Relations with Pakistan have always been complicated. I think we're doing about the best we can do, and we shouldn't make any huge changes in our policy because we THINK some people in government knew OBL was hiding there.

May 4, 2011 at 6:45 pm |

ST

tIt is an open secret that Pakistan supports terrorism, whether it is Taliban or Al Kaida or other organizations in support of separate Kashmir state. Call them out as to what they are, and cut out all funding which is being directed to help out terrorists.

May 4, 2011 at 6:45 pm |

B Monty

All aid to Pakistan should be halted. There is no way that someone did not have knowledge of Osama bin Laden's presence in the area. What had to be done was done and done effectively. It would have been nice to have taken bin Laden alive, but the Seals had to make a quick choice at the time. I see no reason to release the photoes. We have facial recognition, DNA, and the word of our military. According to news reports one of the wives also identified bin Laden.

May 4, 2011 at 6:45 pm |

lynne in north carolina

What to do about Pakistan is easy on the surface. Cut them off cold turkey as well as sending their diplomats home. But there is a double edged sword afoot. They have nuclear capability. That kind of makes things edgy.

Aid should be cut significantly and put some eyes and ears on the ground, blending in, in the hopes of keeping that nuclear tech out of the hands of the crazies.

In meantime, get out of the rest of ME and tell the corporations that want to get more customers to settle for what they have. The US Government will not sponsor unnecessary wars in the hopes of putting up wall to wall Walmarts or Starbucks in those countries.

May 4, 2011 at 6:46 pm |

addi

Pakistan have lost 34000 man and women in this so called war on terror and have lost billions in economy and more sucide attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan together.
Pakistani Taliban have become home grown enemy. What else do you expect?

May 4, 2011 at 6:46 pm |

Al

1. How much of the money given to Pak was spent on fighting war? >$10B
2. How many Pak's citizens have been killed by OBL or direct result of war on terror? 30,000.
3. How many army mens in Pak have died as a direct result of this war? >3000.
4. What is the economical impact of the war to support Bush's agenda on Pakistan? > ??? $Billions
5. How many OBL operatives have been killed or captures by Pak? Including the Sheikh that gave lead on OBL courier? >900
6. Who created OBL? CIA
7. What was the impact of us dumping Pakistan after using them to defeate the OBL? Afghanistan, Taliban and OBL..
8. The list goes on n on n on ....

I guess they are just not doing enough!!!

May 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm |

Warren Varker

At the moment, it seems clear the American taxpayer is not getting his money's worth in Pakistan. I'm not sure we could just pull the plug on Pakistan though. There's got to be many things going on there that are "in the works." Many Americans are working there with American equipment. The main problem is the level of corruption and security leaks within their system means they are not to be trusted, and it seems they don't really trust us either! What we have, is a love-hate relationship, with a viable suitor (in India) living right next door.
Warren Varker
Philadelphia Pa.

May 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm |

Chris J Marshall

hi jack

– firstly , get back the 20 + billion the us sent the country in " apparent aid ".......... whoops , i mean to build bin laden a nice comfy home and protect him......!!!

– some ( or alot ) of that money was skimmed off the top to build bin laden a nice comfy home , provide security , feed and cloth him , and provide him everything he , and his family needed for countless years ........... and then some !

– so here's a disturbing issue....THE US may have directly and indirectly SUPPORTED bin laden and the taliban for years...................god knows where that 20+ billion went........... do you ? the whitehouse doesn't..............

what is this world coming to ???

the US should do the same to pakistan as they did to cuba !!!

thanks
chris
OTTAWA,CANADA
-and a US CITIZEN !!

May 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm |

Cathy

Jack,
After watching the story about the Pakistani students I realized, they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed! If the whole country is like that....there is no hope for them. Personally I think they are radicals alot like Bin Laden. Sadly it seems to e the same in Afganistan...so I think it's time to leave them to thier own end. We have wasted enough money in those 2 countries. Lets take care of us!
Cathy
Hope Mills NC

May 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm |

Kiran Malhotra

The ISI has been covertly supporting what ex-president Musharraf called the good Taliban. Pakistan is supporting the terrorist groups controlled by Sirajuddin Haqqani and Lakshar e Toiba as well as giving succour to Omar (head of the Afghan Taliban). Pakistan's support of anti-terrorism is restricted to fight the Pakistani Taliban that threatens its power base. Our tax dollars are being wasted in Pakistan. Our multi-billion dollar aide should be conditioned on real co-operaion and not lip service.

May 4, 2011 at 6:48 pm |

Jeremy B - KoP, PA

Its not that Pakistan wasn't looking hard enough, they obviously just don't care enough if he was right under their noses. *shaking my head* If they really wanted to find him we would have found him 10 years ago (that is if he was really living there the whole time he was hiding). Shame on the Pakistani government. And if the neighbors new that Bin Laden was actually living there. I doubt they would have let their own children go over and play with some rabbits (and if they did they need to give up their kids to people that can actually take care off them). Why should we ever help Pakistan if they are in need next time? They obviously don't care for us enough to help us get a man who has killed more Americans in one day than any war or other terrorist acts. So, I guess that money we have been supplying them with the past 8 years was a huge waste, and could have been used to help American citizens, or pay a country with more trust put into it.

May 4, 2011 at 6:48 pm |

Jason

Dear Pakistan,

It's just not working out between us. It's not you, it's me...it's what I'm going thru. I think it's better if we end our relationship and just be friends.

Please don't call me, e-mail me, text me or Facebook me anymore. I need to move on with my life. Don't worry...you'll find somebody else. Someone who gets you and makes you happy. Good luck and have a good life.

Yours truely,
America

Oh, by the way... please make the $20 billion check out to The United States of America.

May 4, 2011 at 6:49 pm |

Lakshman Bharati.

All of Pakistan is involved in this.All 180 million of them.

Their sympathies are either overt or covert.

May 4, 2011 at 6:49 pm |

Sis

There are no easy answers , but you have to draw a line , sooner or later. If I understand correctly is we need Pakistan, for several reasons, but one of the main concerns is because they are a Nuclear country , we always have to be careful . I wonder when Iran finally gets its Nuclear weapons , will we also have to be careful with them. Maybe the most simply plan would be best, bring our troops home, and aim all our power to the middle east, and start taking care of America, and let them all take care of their own problems.

May 4, 2011 at 6:49 pm |

Subrata M, Baldwinsville, NY

Mansion in Abbottabad is now available for rent. A Very Safe place, stones throw away/only 800 yards from Pakistan Military Academy. Privacy guaranteed (as you have seen over the past decade !!);, The least US should do - take it on Rent !!!

May 4, 2011 at 6:49 pm |

Wes

For one stop acting as if Pakistan is a slave and we are the masters. They may have their own security concerns and interets which may not align with ours.

May 4, 2011 at 6:49 pm |

prince

Pakistan is playing this game since long. Give me money or i will blow off my own head. And then there are enough fools in this world to cater their demands. Everytime when some Pakistani leader pronounces on television, that Pakistan has suffered the most in fight against terrorism, I laugh so hard that tears come out of my eyes. All of these guys should be nominated for Oscars for best actors in a tragic role.

Well I think that we need to find out as much information before we jump to conclusions. Then deal with this matter.

May 4, 2011 at 6:50 pm |

terri

It sounds like a DICTATOR is telling a DEMOCRACY "NO" . ! Do we go both ways in this country ? I thought it was a DEMOCRACY .

May 4, 2011 at 6:50 pm |

Chelsie

Pakistan has just been caught hiding the most wanted criminal in the world in what seems a very suspiciously operated million dollar mansion! Whether or not the Pakistani government knew Osama bin Laden was hiding in their country, their inability to catch the icon of terrorism proves that the United States cannot place its trust in this country.The gig's up and now Pakistan should face the consequences of losing the United States as its ally.

May 4, 2011 at 6:51 pm |

Gilbert West

Jack...

At some point the U.S. should... we should mind our own business. Should we hold the Pakistani officials to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. Look at all the corruption {remember Scooter Libby} that is part of the the American way. Wherever poverty exists... allegiance can be purchased. Afterall, were we not bribing the top officials all these years with $$$ Billions in "aid?" Perhaps a handful of lower-ranked officials who did not directly benefit from the $$$ Billions we paid their superiors in foreign aid decided to cut some deals on the side for themselves. This takes place in America everyday, and America exports this kind of behavior. Why not just count our blessings and hope this goes away? Why pick at a scab while the wound is still fresh? What purpose could possibly be served? Remember all the false information we were sold concerning Sadam Hussein and the "Weapons of Mass Destruction?" that were never found? What was done about that?

May 4, 2011 at 6:51 pm |

John

we should take a moment to think about what it means blame people for their neighbors crimes.

May 4, 2011 at 6:51 pm |

sali

Bottom line for last 10 years...Pakistan is more focussed on Indian threat to them than OBL threat. To have them focus on internal threat, military has to shift the focus. Not possible unless core issues are resolved. Helped them get the core issues resolved that India doesnt want to face......

May 4, 2011 at 6:52 pm |

Joan P

Pull all aid from Pakistan. They have certainly bit the hand that feeds them. Give them nothing. We give them 20 billion and they are taught to hate us. The students in the street don't even believe the bid Laden is dead, they think it's US propaganda! Stop the financial and military aid. Everyone is saying that, so how do we get our Government to do it?

May 4, 2011 at 6:53 pm |

Samuel Smith

As we all know, there is so much corruption in that part of the world! Off course the Pakistani military knew of Osama's whereabouts. If they told the US government, all that money that came to them to fight terrorism might have been decreased. Hence, they not only took bribe from Osama to protect him but also used our money to learn our military technology. And yes, all those foreign journalists and US personals brought $ to their country to help them with their own economy!

We have so much problem in our own backyard. It is time for the USA to wake up and become no 1 again! We don't have to be a policeman for every nation out there in our expense!

Samuel Smith
Honolulu

May 4, 2011 at 6:54 pm |

Dave

Think about it- as long as they kept Bin Laden alive, hiddden, and safe- the chump money kept pouring in- we need to wake up and get out!

May 4, 2011 at 6:54 pm |

Saad

1) Cut Pakistan off MILITARY aid and focus it towards the United States' own economy and terrible state of their internal affairs. Of course this will happen anyways as the US was just using Pakistan as it used Iraq against Iran in the 70s / 80s, as it used Osama in the 80s to fight Russia.
2) Jack brings up the point of "come on, Pakistan couldn't spot them before." Well with having world class spying equipment and agencies, it took the Americans TEN YEARS to find Osama?? Come on yourself!

May 4, 2011 at 6:54 pm |

Cletus North Arlington, New Jersey

Pakistan should simply be commended for their cooperation. Evidence exists that the Pakistani government had knowledge of his whereabouts, then he got popped in the head with a US bullet (probably made in China). Self-interests are always the first priority of a nation. Even though democracy is tenacious and expanding in the country, Pakistan had to consider consequences relative to a civil war due to the still significant minority disinterested in advancement. The US should consider the Pakistani government competent in utilizing democracy for stability and peace in a volatile region.

May 4, 2011 at 6:54 pm |

sue

The moment I know my friend is betraying me , i would never trust that person again but definitely forgive them.Forgive but don't forget and don't trust them again.That would be foolish to treat them as friends anymore.

What should US do about Afghanistan?
What should US do about Iraq?
Whats should US do about Lybia?
What should US do about every country they have a gfoot in the door?
What should US do about execution without due process of law, in the land of the FREE?
What should US do about "peace on earth" after the worst "terroist" in history has been eradicated? No more enemies!! If so, why not lax the security at airports, so that airports return to be airports, rather than prison gates?

May 4, 2011 at 6:57 pm |

Sharalyn Zander

Some of us saw the footage of Pakistani's marching in protest of America this morning. I saw them burning and stepping on our American flag. Why do we have to remain their cash cow and continue to let them milk us for our hard earned tax dollars? Dollars that I believe would be better off spent here in our own country. They are not going to get rid of their nuclear weapons. So how long will we allow them to extort us for money simply because they have Nukes? Forever? I guess we'll keep paying them as long as we can still borrow a dollar to give them!

May 4, 2011 at 6:57 pm |

Daien W

How about "pay as you go"?
When we get what we want, then we send the money.
Right now,.... It doesn't seem like we own them anything.

May 4, 2011 at 6:57 pm |

Chris From Ma

This is not just a US problem it is a World wide problem. Not just the US should stop funding to them Everyone should. We as people of the world owe it to everyone who has died from Bin Laden. None of us need Pakistan to be the next North Korea. Even if they have nukes.
Pleaee dont forget the United Staes Policy on Negotiating with terrorist. Or those who harbor them. I am not a fan of Clition but she did call it years ago Pakistan was Hidding Bin Laden. Pull all Us personal out and stop all funding to Pakistan today Mr obama.

May 4, 2011 at 6:58 pm |

Mateen Husami

Pakistanis are using US money to stuff the pockets of the politicians. They are masters of deceit. Stop the money flow to Pakistan. Pakistan's neighbors (who are also nuclear powers) will keep Pakistan's nuclear threat in check.

About this Blog:

Jack Cafferty sounds off hourly on the Situation Room on the stories crossing his radar. Now, you can check in with Jack online to see what he's thinking and weigh in with your own comments online and on TV.